D Gukesh secured a resounding victory by defeating Magnus Carlsen in the Grand Chess Tour. Before the match, Carlsen had described Gukesh as a weaker player, but Gukesh's brilliant moves surprised everyone.
D Gukesh: Rising Indian chess star D Gukesh continues to astonish the world with his play. In the sixth round of the prestigious Grand Chess Tour 2025, held in Zagreb, Croatia, Gukesh not only proved his talent by defeating one of the biggest names in the chess world, Magnus Carlsen, but also strengthened his hold on the top position in the tournament.
Gukesh, who has been performing brilliantly since the first three rounds, is now leading the competition with 10 points. This victory is particularly special because Magnus Carlsen had given a statement before the match, calling Gukesh a 'weak player.' But the story on the chessboard unfolded differently.
Carlsen's Statement Before the Match Caused a Sensation
Magnus Carlsen, who is a former world champion and remains among the most experienced and technically powerful grandmasters, made a very confident statement before the match against Gukesh. He said,
'I will play this match as if I am facing a weak player.'
This statement by Carlsen became a topic of discussion among Indian fans. But D Gukesh responded on the board—and with his moves. He not only won the match but also demonstrated that, though young in age, he is no less than any grandmaster in skill and mental fortitude.
Decisive Moves in the Rapid Format, Now the Real Competition in Blitz
This match was played in the rapid format, where the pace of moves is faster and the thinking time is limited. In this fast-paced game, Gukesh not only displayed his strategy brilliantly but also took full advantage of Carlsen's mistakes.
Now, two matches will be played between them in the blitz format, where time is even more limited and there is almost no room for error. Carlsen will be hoping for a comeback in the blitz, but considering Gukesh's current form, he cannot be taken lightly under any circumstances.
Beating Magnus is Always Special: Gukesh
After the match, Gukesh expressed his happiness over his victory, saying: 'Beating Magnus is always special. I made some mistakes at the beginning, but later I balanced it out and made the right moves at the right moments. This victory will boost my confidence.'
From his self-analysis, it is clear that Gukesh is not only a talented player but also possesses a mature mindset and the ability for introspection.
Carlsen Accepted Defeat, Praised Gukesh
Magnus Carlsen may now be regretting his statement. After the defeat, he said: 'I haven't played well in the entire tournament. The lack of time is also affecting my performance. Gukesh played brilliantly and capitalized on the opportunities.'
This admission proves that Gukesh's victory was not a coincidence, but the result of his hard work, patience, and intellect.
Is India Getting a New World Champion?
It would not be right to consider this achievement of D Gukesh as just one victory. It is a glimpse of the future of Indian chess. After Viswanathan Anand, India has been searching for a grandmaster who has the potential to consistently defeat the giants at the international level—and Gukesh now seems to be meeting that criterion.
