Gukesh’s Struggles Continue as Nihal Sarin Claims Victory at Menorca Masters 2026
D Gukesh’s Struggles Continue as Nihal Sarin Claims Menorca Masters Title
Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain – The reigning Classical World Champion, D Gukesh Dommaraju, faced another challenging outing at the fifth Menorca Masters, concluding his campaign with a disappointing defeat to Hungarian Grandmaster Richard Rapport. This loss marked the culmination of a tough tournament for Gukesh, who has been grappling with a prolonged lean patch for nearly a year.
Gukesh, who had previously shown promise in the tournament, finished joint-third after a series of setbacks, including three defeats in his last four games. His final match against Rapport ended in resignation after 53 moves, a decision influenced by time pressure. This defeat followed a brief resurgence where he had managed to defeat fellow Indian Grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna in the penultimate round.
In stark contrast, 21-year-old Nihal Sarin emerged victorious, drawing against Ukraine’s Ruslan Ponomariov to secure the championship title. Sarin’s triumph marks his second major victory this year, having previously won the rapid section of the Tata Steel Chess India tournament. His performance at the Menorca Masters showcased his growing prowess on the international stage.
Gukesh’s tournament began with a series of draws against strong competitors, including American-Cuban GM Leinier Dominguez Perez and Ponomariov. However, his fortunes took a downturn after suffering a defeat to Sarin in the third round. Despite a brief revival, Gukesh was unable to maintain momentum, ultimately falling short in the final rounds.
The tournament highlighted the competitive spirit of Indian chess, with Sarin’s success overshadowing Gukesh’s struggles. GM Pentala Harikrishna, the third Indian participant, finished at the bottom of the six-player table, securing only 4 points.
As Gukesh prepares for upcoming events, including the Rapid and Blitz tournaments in Warsaw and Zagreb, he remains hopeful of breaking free from his current slump. The chess community will be watching closely to see if the young champion can reclaim his form and return to winning ways.
First Published: April 12, 2026, 17:45 IST