D Gukesh Faces Criticism from Chess Legends: A New Era of Champions?

D Gukesh Faces Criticism from Chess Legends, But Coach Stands Firm

New Delhi, India – Since his remarkable ascent to the title of World Chess Champion in 2024, D Gukesh has found himself at the center of a storm of criticism from both active players and chess legends, including the iconic Garry Kasparov. The debate has ignited discussions about the future of classical chess and the legacy of its champions.

Kasparov, a towering figure in the chess world, expressed his skepticism regarding Gukesh’s championship title, suggesting that Magnus Carlsen’s decision to relinquish the title in 2022 marked the end of an era for classical chess. “Gukesh won fair and square, but you can hardly call him the strongest player in the world,” Kasparov stated. He emphasized that while Gukesh’s title is significant, it does not equate to the dominance Carlsen exhibited during his reign.

The criticism intensified following Gukesh’s performance at the Sinquefield Cup, where his opening game against fellow young prodigy Praggnanandhaa was deemed unimpressive by Kasparov. “The rules are the rules and the games are the games,” he remarked, underscoring his belief that Gukesh still has much to prove.

However, Gukesh’s coach, Grzegorz Gajewski, remains unfazed by the backlash. In an interview with The Indian Express, he stated, “I don’t think meeting the expectations of former world champions is his main goal as a professional chess player.” Gajewski emphasized that Gukesh is focused on his own journey and development, rather than the opinions of critics.

At just 17, Gukesh has already made history as the youngest undisputed world champion and the youngest player to surpass a FIDE rating of 2750. His journey to the championship included a hard-fought match against Ding Liren, where he secured three wins, two losses, and nine draws over 14 classical rounds, culminating in a decisive victory in the final game.

Even Carlsen, while acknowledging the pressure on Gukesh, noted that the expectations placed upon him are “unrealistic.” He praised Gukesh’s performance in the Candidates Tournament and his pivotal role in leading India to gold at the Olympiad. “He’s still young, and until recently, nothing suggested he would be so consistently good,” Carlsen remarked, hinting at the potential for Gukesh to evolve into one of the greats of the game.

As Gukesh navigates the complexities of his newfound status, both praise and criticism will likely follow him. His ability to focus on his game amidst the noise will be crucial as he seeks to carve out his legacy in the world of chess.