Esipenko Defends Gukesh: “He is a Real World Champion” Despite Recent Struggles

D Gukesh Faces Challenges as Youngest Chess World Champion, But Support from Peers Remains Strong

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In a dramatic turn of events, D Gukesh, the youngest chess world champion in history, is currently navigating a challenging phase in his career. Since his historic victory over Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren in December 2024, the 19-year-old Indian prodigy has struggled to maintain his winning momentum, particularly in the latter half of 2025. However, support from fellow chess players, including Russian Grandmaster Andrey Esipenko, has emerged as a beacon of hope for the young champion.

Esipenko, currently competing in the prestigious Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, has publicly defended Gukesh, asserting that he remains a “real world champion.” Despite Gukesh’s recent struggles in major tournaments such as the Sinquefield Cup, FIDE Grand Swiss, and the FIDE World Cup, Esipenko believes in the Indian Grandmaster’s potential. “Yes, he is having far from the best of times in chess terms right now, but he is still very young and has potential,” Esipenko stated in a recent interview with Virtus.pro Chess.

Gukesh’s journey to the top has been nothing short of remarkable. He made history as the second Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to claim the world title. However, his recent performances have raised eyebrows within the chess community, with some legends, including Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov, expressing concerns about his form.

In his most recent outing at the Prague International Chess Festival Masters, Gukesh finished joint-bottom, failing to secure a single win until the final round. This decline has sparked discussions about the pressures of maintaining elite performance levels at such a young age.

Esipenko, who qualified for the Candidates by finishing third at the FIDE World Cup in Goa, also reflected on the challenges faced by other top players, including Ding Liren. “He is clearly not in the best mental state right now. I think he is just recovering from the defeat in the World Championship match in 2024,” Esipenko noted, emphasizing the mental toll that high-stakes competitions can take on players.

As Gukesh continues to grapple with his form, the chess world watches closely, hoping for a resurgence from the young champion. With the support of peers like Esipenko, there is a sense of optimism that Gukesh will find his footing once again and reclaim his status among the elite in chess.

For now, the chess community remains divided, but one thing is clear: the journey of D Gukesh is far from over, and his potential remains a topic of great interest and discussion.