Gukesh Responds to Criticism from Chess Legends Ahead of World Championship Defense

Gukesh Faces Criticism with a Smile Ahead of World Championship Defense

Oslo, Norway – May 25, 2026

As the chess world gears up for the highly anticipated World Championship later this year, 19-year-old Indian prodigy D. Gukesh finds himself at the center of both scrutiny and excitement. At a pre-tournament press conference for Norway Chess, Gukesh addressed the relentless criticism from chess legends like Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, and Anatoly Karpov, who have not held back in their assessments of his recent performance.

With a smile, Gukesh remarked, “Most of the criticism I don’t see.” However, he candidly acknowledged, “There is some criticism that I have heard, and I think it is fair. I have not been performing well in the last 18 months, and even I would say the same thing.” His honesty reflects a maturity beyond his years, as he prepares to defend his title against rising star Nodirbek Sindarov in December.

Gukesh’s journey to this point has been a rollercoaster. Just two years ago, he was a challenger aiming to dethrone Ding Liren. Now, he faces the daunting task of defending his crown, a challenge he describes as having “different mindsets.” He added, “Defending a world championship title is more difficult than actually winning it the first time. There’s a lot of expectation and pressure of not wanting to lose the title. But at the end of the day, the basic thing is to play good chess.”

Carlsen, sitting just inches away, offered a contrasting viewpoint. He argued that defending a title is easier since the champion only needs to win one match, while challengers must navigate a rigorous qualification process. “It’s not really about me, is it?” Carlsen said, emphasizing the excitement surrounding the young players. “They’re so young and really exciting players to watch. It’s going to be a fantastic match whatever happens.”

Kasparov stirred the pot further by suggesting that if Sindarov were to defeat Gukesh, Carlsen might be tempted to re-enter the championship cycle. Carlsen quickly dismissed this notion, stating, “Whatever happens, it’s not going to affect me. I’m just going to follow that world championship as a chess fan.”

As the countdown to the championship begins, Gukesh remains focused on his game, determined to rise above the noise and prove his critics wrong. With the eyes of the chess world upon him, the young champion is ready to embrace the challenge ahead, armed with a smile and a fierce determination to play his best chess.

The writer is in Oslo at the invitation of Norway Chess.