Judit Polgar Questions D Gukesh’s Ability to Defend World Championship Title Amidst Form Struggles
Chess Legend Judit Polgar Questions D Gukesh’s Title Defense Amidst Form Struggles
In a striking commentary on the current state of chess, legendary player Judit Polgar has expressed doubts about D Gukesh’s ability to defend his World Championship title later this year. Since claiming the crown in December 2024, Gukesh has faced a significant decline in form, failing to secure any titles in 2025 and struggling to regain his footing in 2026.
Polgar’s remarks come ahead of the highly anticipated Candidates Tournament, set to determine the challenger for Gukesh’s title. “There is a very, very big question mark whether Gukesh can stay the world champion at the end of this year,” she stated in an interview with The Indian Express. While she acknowledged Gukesh’s potential for a bright future, she remains skeptical about his chances of retaining the championship.
The Candidates Tournament winner will face Gukesh later this year, and Polgar believes that this challenger will likely emerge victorious. “I’m sure Gukesh has a great future, but I’m not sure he’s going to be world champion after the next world championship match,” she added, emphasizing that this does not preclude Gukesh from reclaiming the title in the future.
Reflecting on Gukesh’s historic victory over Ding Liren to become the youngest-ever world champion, Polgar highlighted the importance of mental resilience in his success. “Gukesh was able to stand the pressure better. He was ready to make mistakes but bounce back from them,” she explained, likening his focus to that of a jaguar hunting its prey. “Whenever Ding made a mistake, he was ready.”
Despite his remarkable achievement, Gukesh’s recent performances have raised eyebrows. At the Prague Masters, he managed only a single victory, and his closest attempt at a title since becoming champion was at the Tata Masters in Wijk aan Zee in 2025, where he fell short against R Praggnanandhaa in a tense tiebreaker.
As the chess community watches closely, the upcoming Candidates Tournament will be pivotal for Gukesh. With Polgar’s insights casting a shadow of uncertainty over his title defense, the young champion faces not only the challenge of his opponents but also the weight of expectations as he strives to reclaim his former glory.