Magnus Carlsen Criticizes D Gukesh’s World Chess Championship Win and Calls Classical Chess ‘Worst Way’ to Determine Best Player

Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world chess champion, has once again stirred up controversy with his comments on D Gukesh’s recent historic win at the World Chess Championship. Gukesh, at just 18 years old, became the youngest-ever world chess champion by defeating defending champion Ding Liren in a thrilling final game.

Despite Gukesh’s impressive victory, Carlsen downplayed the significance of the win, taking an indirect dig at the Indian grandmaster. In a recent podcast appearance, Carlsen criticized the classical chess format, calling it the ‘worst’ way to determine the best player. He argued that faster forms of chess, such as rapid and blitz, are more indicative of a player’s overall skill and adaptability.

Carlsen’s comments have sparked debate among chess enthusiasts, with some supporting his viewpoint while others defend the traditional classical format. The tension between Carlsen and Gukesh is set to escalate further as they are scheduled to face off in upcoming tournaments, including the Norway Chess event in May and the Freestyle Chess Grandslam in February.

As the chess world eagerly anticipates these showdowns, fans can stay updated on all the latest sports news, including updates from the Olympics 2024 and other major tournaments, by visiting Hindustan Times’ sports section. Whether you’re a chess aficionado or a fan of other sports, Hindustan Times has you covered with the latest headlines and match results.