Nakamura Raises Alarm Over Gukesh’s Troubling Performance at Norway Chess 2026
Nakamura Sounds Alarm Over Gukesh’s Norway Chess ‘Disaster’ Ahead of World Championship Showdown
American chess Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has raised serious concerns regarding the performance of reigning world champion D. Gukesh at the recently concluded Norway Chess 2026, where Gukesh finished at the bottom of the standings. Nakamura described the Indian GM’s showing as a “complete disaster,” highlighting the implications it may have for Gukesh’s upcoming challenges.
Gukesh, who is set to defend his title against Javokhir Sindarov—winner of the 2026 Candidates Tournament—has seen his world ranking plummet to 27th, a significant drop that has left many in the chess community worried about his form. Nakamura emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that Gukesh must address these issues before critical events like the Olympiad in September and the World Championship in November.
“For Gukesh, this was an absolute disaster,” Nakamura stated. “He is now down to No. 27 in the world and is the fifth-highest-rated Indian player. This is definitely not what he was hoping for.”
Gukesh’s Struggles at Norway Chess
Gukesh’s performance at Norway Chess was marked by inconsistency. Although he began the tournament with an Armageddon victory, he quickly faltered, ultimately finishing with just eight points. A pivotal defeat to fellow Indian GM R Praggnanandhaa proved decisive, further exacerbating Gukesh’s struggles in the tournament.
While Gukesh’s performance raised eyebrows, Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious, making history by clinching the Norway Chess title. This stark contrast in outcomes has only intensified the scrutiny on Gukesh as he prepares for the high-stakes matches ahead.
As the chess world watches closely, the question remains: how will Gukesh rebound from this setback? With the clock ticking down to the Olympiad and the World Championship, the pressure is on for the young champion to regain his form and confidence.