Viswanathan Anand’s Crucial Advice for D Gukesh Ahead of World Championship Clash with Javokhir Sindarov

World Chess Champion D. Gukesh Prepares for High-Stakes Clash Against Javokhir Sindarov

April 22, 2026 – In a highly anticipated showdown, reigning world chess champion Dommaraju Gukesh is set to face off against 2026 FIDE Candidates winner Javokhir Sindarov later this year. As the young Indian Grandmaster gears up for this crucial match, he finds himself navigating a challenging phase in his career, marked by a recent dip in form.

At just 19 years old, Gukesh made history in 2024 by becoming the youngest undisputed world chess champion after defeating Ding Liren. However, his journey since then has been tumultuous. Following a mixed 2025 season, where he achieved the pinnacle of his career by winning the world title but struggled in subsequent tournaments, Gukesh’s performance has raised concerns among fans and critics alike.

His struggles were particularly evident at the Prague Masters in March 2026, where he finished joint-bottom, resulting in a significant loss of rating points. In light of this disappointing performance, Gukesh announced his decision to step back from a packed tournament schedule to focus on training and preparation.

As the pressure mounts ahead of the championship match against Sindarov, Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand has stepped in to offer valuable advice. In a recent interview with Lichess, Anand emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of criticism and pressure that comes with being a world champion.

“Having been through something similar, I would say just ignore it,” Anand advised Gukesh. “If you are unable to ignore it, accept that it’s normal. Nobody promised you perfect happiness. It’s going to be rough; everyone will look at you differently, and everyone covets your title secretly.”

Anand’s insights serve as a reality check for Gukesh, reminding him that the value of the world championship title often becomes clearer only after it is lost. “You will not appreciate the world championship till you lose it,” he noted. “When you don’t have it, you’ll suddenly think, did I really complain about these things?”

The chess legend further highlighted the inevitability of criticism, especially during performance dips, and encouraged Gukesh to focus on improving his game. “Lock yourself in a room and ignore it, but focus on doing a good job at some tournament. If it’s not this one, then the next one,” Anand advised.

As Gukesh prepares for the upcoming match, he will undoubtedly carry Anand’s wisdom with him, aiming to regain his best form and defend his title against a formidable opponent. The chess world eagerly awaits this clash, hoping to witness a thrilling battle between two of the game’s brightest stars.