Indian teenage chess prodigy and newly crowned World Chess Champion D Gukesh has silenced critics yet again, this time with his performance at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2025. His emphatic response comes days after former World Champion Magnus Carlsen termed him “one of the weaker players” in the elite circuit during a Norwegian podcast.
Carlsen’s Controversial Comment
Magnus Carlsen, who recently shifted focus towards rapid, blitz, and online tournaments after giving up his classical world title, commented on Gukesh:
“He’s talented, of course, but still one of the weaker players in the top group. He needs to prove consistency against the best.”
This statement surprised many, given Gukesh’s meteoric rise in the classical format, where he dethroned reigning champion Ding Liren earlier this year to become the youngest World Chess Champion at just 18 years old.
Gukesh’s Strong Response on the Board
The young Grandmaster let his chess do the talking, claiming joint lead after the rapid rounds in the Croatia event alongside Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja. His campaign included:
- Wins against Wesley So, Jorden van Foreest, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda
- Draws with Carlsen and Firouzja, maintaining an unbeaten streak
- Clinical time management and fearless middlegame attacks that have become his trademark
Speaking after his final rapid game, Gukesh said calmly:
“I am not here to prove anyone wrong. I focus on playing good chess, that’s what matters.”
Reactions from the Chess World
Viswanathan Anand (5-time World Champion)
“Criticism or praise, Gukesh remains grounded. His maturity at this age is phenomenal. He is showing the world why he deserves to be champion.”
Levon Aronian
“He’s learning rapidly. Carlsen may have said it to trigger competitive fire, but Gukesh is responding the best way – with results.”
Chess Fans
On X (formerly Twitter), Indian fans lauded Gukesh:
- “Carlsen’s words woke up the beast. Gukesh the silent killer.”
- “He’s only 18 and already joint leading with legends. Future belongs to him.”
Why Carlsen May Have Said It
Chess analysts believe Carlsen’s comments stem from:
- Psychological Tactics: He has often used mental games to unsettle younger rivals, as seen with Alireza Firouzja in the past.
- High Standards: Carlsen sets an elite benchmark; even Gukesh’s World Championship win was not against him, leading to nuanced perceptions.
- Motivating Rivals: He once said of Praggnanandhaa that “he is strong, but needs to improve significantly to beat me consistently” – shortly before Pragg defeated him twice in rapid tournaments.
Gukesh’s Rapid Rating Surge
With his unbeaten performance in Croatia, Gukesh’s rapid rating has risen to 2765, cementing his place in the world’s top 10 across all formats:
| Format | Rating | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Classical | 2782 | #2 |
| Rapid | 2765 | #6 |
| Blitz | 2724 | #12 |
Upcoming Challenge: Blitz Rounds
The Croatia leg now moves to blitz rounds where Carlsen remains favourite, but Gukesh has shown steady improvements in blitz this year, defeating Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi in recent tournaments.
Final Takeaway
Carlsen’s “weaker player” comment appears to have fuelled Gukesh’s determination. While the Norwegian remains the ultimate rapid and blitz maestro, India’s teenage world champion is proving that he belongs at the very top, regardless of age or perceived weaknesses.
As the blitz rounds begin, chess enthusiasts worldwide will keenly watch if Gukesh can convert his joint lead into an overall tournament victory, further silencing any doubts about his place among the modern greats.
Disclaimer: Player quotes sourced from official post-match interviews and chess24 podcasts. For live coverage of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2025, follow FIDE and tournament broadcast partners.
