Karpov Calls Gukesh’s World Championship Win an ‘Accident’ Amidst Historic Achievement
Chess Legend Karpov Calls Gukesh’s World Championship Victory an ‘Accident’
In a stunning twist to the chess narrative, legendary grandmaster Anatoly Karpov has stirred the pot by labeling D Gukesh’s historic World Championship victory over Ding Liren as an “accident.” Gukesh, at just 18 years and six months, became the youngest-ever world chess champion in December 2024, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s long-standing record.
Karpov, who himself became a world champion at a young age, expressed his views in a recent interview with KP.RU. He stated, “No, firstly, the Indian chess player [Gukesh] became champion by accident, because he was not supposed to win the match against the Chinese [Ding Liren].” Karpov pointed to a critical blunder by Liren in the decisive 14th game, which ultimately handed the title to Gukesh, despite Liren being the favorite throughout the match.
Reflecting on the broader context, Karpov acknowledged the role of India’s chess infrastructure in Gukesh’s rise. “This is the result of a serious state program for chess in India,” he noted, highlighting government support that has allowed players to thrive. “Indian chess players are already straddling international tournaments,” he added, mentioning how the government has facilitated their participation by providing housing, which has significantly reduced travel costs.
The chess community is abuzz with anticipation as Gukesh prepares to defend his title later this year. However, his recent form has raised eyebrows, with many predicting a challenging defense against the winner of the upcoming Candidates 2026 tournament. Set to take place in Cyprus from March 28 to April 16, the tournament will feature formidable contenders, including Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, and Hikaru Nakamura.
As the chess world watches closely, Gukesh’s journey from an “accidental champion” to a title defender will undoubtedly be one of the most compelling stories in the sport’s history. Will he prove Karpov wrong, or will the weight of expectation prove too much? Only time will tell.