In a high-stakes quarter-final at the Freestyle Chess event in Weissenhaus, Germany, World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju faced World No. 2, Fabiano Caruana. As the tension soared, Gukesh kept his heart rate steady at 78 beats per minute (BPM), while Caruana’s heart raced to 124 BPM. Commentator Peter Leko, stunned by Gukesh’s composure, exclaimed, “How does he do it? Who is he!”
Gukesh vs Fabiano Freestyle: A Battle of Nerves
The heart rate data displayed live during the event, amazed Chess.com commentators. Grandmaster Peter Leko, astounded by Gukesh’s ability to stay calm, exclaimed, “How does he do it? Who is he?” Chess legend Judit Polgar chuckled at the remark, and Leko added, “Now we know why he’s the world champion.” This moment quickly went viral, solidifying Gukesh vs Fabiano Freestyle match for his extraordinary mental strength.
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Heart Rate Monitoring at Freestyle Chess
The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam introduced a new element by equipping players with heart rate monitors, allowing fans to witness how grandmasters handle pressure physiologically. While Caruana’s heart rate surged past 120 BPM, Gukesh’s stayed remarkably low, fluctuating between 62-78 BPM even in the most critical endgame moments.
Many chess experts compare Gukesh’s mental strength to that of former World Champion Magnus Carlsen. Both players display incredible focus and composure, which help them dominate high-stakes games. Gukesh’s ability to stay calm at 62 BPM highlights his exceptional control under pressure.
Gukesh’s Rapid Rise in the Chess World
Gukesh, born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, India, started playing chess at seven. At just 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, he became the second-youngest grandmaster in history. In December 2024, at 18, he defeated Ding Liren and became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion.
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