Gukesh Dommaraju’s Tactical Misstep in Freestyle Chess Showdown Against Hikaru Nakamura

Gukesh Dommaraju Faces Early Setback in Freestyle Chess Grand Slam

Paris, France — In a dramatic turn of events during the second leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour on Monday, Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju made a crucial error even before the first move was played. As the evening unfolded, Gukesh found himself in a tense huddle with chess luminaries including Ian Nepomniachtchi, Hikaru Nakamura, and Praggnanandhaa, strategizing for their upcoming matches. However, in a twist of fate, Gukesh, who was set to play with white pieces against Nakamura, mistakenly joined the wrong table, discussing tactics meant for players with black pieces.

The unique format of the Freestyle Chess event allows players to strategize with others of the same color just ten minutes before the match begins. This unconventional setup often leads to intense pre-game discussions, but Gukesh’s misstep left him at a disadvantage. Chess legend Judit Polgar humorously pointed out the blunder during the live broadcast, noting that Gukesh would have preferred to be on the other side of the board.

As the match progressed, Gukesh struggled against Nakamura, who capitalized on the young Indian’s earlier confusion. The day proved challenging for Gukesh, who managed only a win against compatriot Arjun Erigaisi and a draw against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, leaving him in a precarious position in the standings.

Despite his struggles, Gukesh’s victory over Arjun, a formidable opponent who had recently dominated the Freestyle Friday events, provided a glimmer of hope. However, with Gukesh currently sitting in 10th place out of 12 players after the first six classification games, the path to the quarter-finals appears steep.

Freestyle chess, known for its unpredictable nature, features 960 possible starting positions, making it a departure from traditional chess strategies. Gukesh, renowned for his meticulous calculations and prowess in longer time controls, finds himself grappling with the rapid pace and chaotic nature of this variant.

As the tournament continues, Gukesh and his fellow competitors will return to the board for five more games on Tuesday, with the top eight players advancing to the quarter-finals. The stakes are high, and for Gukesh, every move counts as he seeks to turn his fortunes around in the City of Lights.