The Rise of Karpov: A Young Champion’s Journey and Insights on Gukesh’s Victory
Karpov Reflects on Gukesh’s Surprising World Championship Victory
In a recent interview with KP.RU, legendary chess player Anatoly Karpov shared his thoughts on the rise of Indian chess prodigy D. Gukesh, who unexpectedly clinched the World Championship title in 2024. Karpov, a former world champion himself, expressed skepticism about Gukesh’s victory, suggesting it was more a matter of circumstance than skill.
Karpov noted that Gukesh’s ascent to the championship was marred by a critical blunder from his opponent, Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren, during the decisive 14th game. “The Indian chess player became champion by accident,” Karpov stated. “He was not supposed to win the match against the Chinese. If Ding had played as expected, he would have remained the world champion.”
Despite his reservations about the match, Karpov acknowledged the robust chess infrastructure in India that has fostered Gukesh’s talent. “This is the result of a serious state program for chess in India,” he explained. The Indian government has invested in the development of chess, providing support such as housing for players, which has allowed them to focus on their training and compete internationally without the burden of travel expenses.
Karpov’s comments come at a pivotal time for Gukesh, who is set to defend his title later this year. The young champion is facing challenges, as he has struggled with form since his unexpected victory. Many experts predict he may lose his title in the upcoming championship.
The Candidates 2026 tournament, which will determine Gukesh’s challenger, is scheduled to take place in Cyprus from March 28 to April 16. The lineup includes formidable opponents such as Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, and Hikaru Nakamura, all of whom have proven track records in high-stakes competitions.
As Gukesh prepares for this critical phase in his career, the chess world will be watching closely to see if he can rise to the occasion and prove that his championship win was not merely a stroke of luck, but the beginning of a new era in Indian chess.