Indian chess prodigy Gukesh stuns Magnus Carlsen once again, showcasing his brilliance in the sixth round of the Grand Chess Tour’s SuperUnited Rapid tournament in Zagreb. The 19-year-old world champion outplayed the World No. 1, securing his second consecutive victory over Carlsen. Playing with black pieces, Gukesh forced Carlsen to resign after 49 moves, cementing his lead in the tournament.
Gukesh Dominates Tournament Standings
Gukesh now leads the SuperUnited Rapid tournament with 10 points after six games. Despite an early loss to Jan-Krzysztof Duda, he bounced back with wins over Alireza Firouzja and R Praggnanandhaa before defeating Carlsen. “I wasn’t too disheartened after the first-round loss,” Gukesh said, highlighting his resilience. His five straight wins have placed him two points ahead of Duda, with Carlsen trailing at six points. The Indian grandmaster’s focus and skill in rapid chess have silenced doubters.
Gukesh Outshines Carlsen’s Early Advantage
Carlsen, who called Gukesh “one of the presumably weaker players” before the match, started strong with the English Opening. However, Gukesh turned the tide with a sharp 26…d5 move. As Carlsen’s clock dipped below a minute, his position crumbled under pressure. “I had a very nice position, but he took his chance to open it with c6,” Carlsen admitted. Gukesh’s precise moves led to Carlsen’s resignation after 49 moves, marking a convincing victory for the Indian prodigy.
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Experts Praise Gukesh’s Mastery
Chess legend Garry Kasparov lauded Gukesh’s performance, stating, “Now we can question Magnus’ domination. This isn’t just another loss. It’s a convincing one. Gukesh didn’t just capitalize on mistakes—he played better.” His composure and tactical brilliance have positioned him as a formidable force. Susan Polgar, another chess icon, noted, “Some doubted his worthiness as world champion, but Gukesh has proven them wrong.” His rise signals a shift in the global chess hierarchy.
Carlsen Struggles with Form
Carlsen admitted his struggles, saying, “Honestly, I’m not enjoying playing chess at all right now. I don’t feel any flow.” His hesitation and lackluster performance in Zagreb contrast with Gukesh’s confidence. Despite the loss, Magnus Carlsen acknowledged Gukesh’s skill: “All credit to Gukesh; he’s playing well and taking his chances.” With two more blitz-format matches against Gukesh upcoming, Carlsen aims to regain his form and challenge the young star.
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