Gukesh Dommaraju’s Winless Streak Continues at Weissenhaus: Defeated by Hikaru Nakamura in Tiebreaks

Gukesh Dommaraju faced another setback at Weissenhaus after losing to Hikaru Nakamura in the 5-8 classification spot match on Wednesday. The intense battle between Gukesh and Nakamura had to be settled in rapid tiebreaks after the classical time control games ended in draws.

In a thrilling encounter, the first rapid tiebreak game ended in a draw after 103 moves, but Gukesh lost the second game with white pieces after 33 moves. Despite being in dire situations and facing losing positions, Gukesh’s heart rate remained remarkably steady at around 90 beats per minute, showcasing his composure under pressure.

Gukesh’s journey at Weissenhaus has been challenging, with this being his fifth defeat across time controls in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. Despite his resilience and ability to claw his way out of losing positions, Gukesh ultimately succumbed to Nakamura, the reigning Fischer Random World Champion.

The tiebreak games also saw Fabiano Caruana and Javokhir Sindarov battling it out to secure a spot in the final, with Vincent Keymer already securing a place by defeating Magnus Carlsen in the other semi-final. The intense competition and high stakes at Weissenhaus have showcased the mental fortitude and strategic prowess of these top chess players.

As the tournament progresses, the pressure mounts for Gukesh and his fellow competitors, with each move and decision crucial in determining their fate. The chess world eagerly awaits the final outcome at Weissenhaus, where only the strongest and most resilient will emerge victorious.