India’s youngest World Chess Champion, D Gukesh, suffered elimination from the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in Weissenhaus, Germany. Facing a must-win situation in the second leg of the quarterfinals, he lost to Fabiano Caruana, marking his second consecutive defeat in the tournament.
Caruana Dominates Gukesh in Quick 18-Move Victory
Gukesh, playing with the black pieces, needed a win to stay in the tournament. However, his position crumbled as early as move 10. Caruana capitalized on weak positioning and forced Gukesh to resign in just 18 moves. This loss sealed his elimination from the event.
Reflecting on his performance, Gukesh stated, “Every game is a lesson. I will analyze and come back stronger.”
His elimination follows another recent heartbreak—his loss to R Praggnanandhaa in the Tata Steel Masters final in January. Despite these setbacks, Gukesh remains a rising force in chess.
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What’s Next for Gukesh After Freestyle Chess Elimination?
Gukesh, born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, holds the record as the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion at 18 years and six months, surpassing Garry Kasparov.
Despite his elimination, he still has matches left in the tournament. Up next, he faces Hikaru Nakamura in placement rounds. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen will battle Vincent Keymer, and Caruana faces Javokhir Sindarov in the semifinals.
Gukesh’s rapid rise proves his potential. His setbacks in Tata Steel and Freestyle Chess will only fuel his drive for future victories.
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