D. Gukesh Acknowledges Underwhelming Form Ahead of Norway Chess, Embraces Criticism as Justified
Oslo: D. Gukesh Faces Pressure Ahead of Norway Chess Tournament
In a candid admission, reigning world chess champion D. Gukesh has acknowledged that his performance since claiming the title in 2024 has not met expectations. As he prepares to kick off his Norway Chess campaign against Vincent Keymer on Monday, the 19-year-old Indian grandmaster is feeling the weight of criticism from chess legends, which he admits is justified.
Gukesh, who has struggled to secure top finishes over the past 18 months, is under increasing pressure as he gears up for his world title defense against challenger Javokhir Sindarov later this year. “I have not been performing well in the last one-and-a-half years, and I think my performances have been way below expectations,” Gukesh stated on Sunday, seated alongside Magnus Carlsen, who is vying for a record-extending eighth Norway Chess title.
Despite his efforts to block out negative feedback, Gukesh recognizes the validity of the critiques. “Most of it I don’t see, but there are some that I have heard, and I think it’s fair,” he said. His recent tournament results reflect his struggles: a 10th place finish at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, a ninth at the Prague International Chess Festival, and a sixth at the Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland on the Grand Chess Tour.
In a strategic move, Gukesh has opted to withdraw from all classical events on the Grand Chess Tour, focusing solely on Norway Chess and the Chess Olympiad before his championship clash. “Yes, Norway Chess and the Olympiad are the two tournaments I will be playing,” he confirmed, hinting at potential future engagements without elaborating.
As for the upcoming World Championship match, Gukesh expressed a willingness to play anywhere in the world, though he acknowledged the unique pressure of defending his title in India. “In India, there’s always a lot of pressure… If it’s in India, it will be super cool, and I will be very happy,” he said.
Gukesh also reflected on the challenges of title defense, noting that the mindset required to retain a championship is markedly different from that of winning it. “Many people have said that defending a title is more difficult than actually winning it,” he explained. “There is a lot of expectation and pressure of not wanting to lose. But at the end of the day, the basic thing is to go there and play good chess.”
The young champion’s journey has not been without its memorable moments. He famously faced Carlsen at Norway Chess 2025, where the Norwegian great’s frustration after losing to Gukesh went viral, generating significant attention for the sport. When asked about the incident, Gukesh remarked, “I feel it’s a great moment for chess… chess players generally don’t show a lot of emotions, but when it did happen, a lot of people got attracted to chess.”
As Gukesh steps into the spotlight once more, he remains determined to rise to the occasion, stating, “Yeah, I’ll try my best to win.” With the chess world watching closely, all eyes will be on Gukesh as he seeks to reclaim his form and defend his title later this year.