Gukesh D has had a rollercoaster few months. The young world champion found himself the center of attraction at Norway Chess 2025, and none other than the legendary Vishy Anand was ready to hand out his report card. So, what did Gukesh score? Let’s break it down.
From World Champion to Norway Chess: The Gukesh D’s Journey
First, a quick rewind. Gukesh D made history last December, becoming the youngest world chess champion ever after defeating Ding Liren. That win put him on the global chess map, and expectations skyrocketed. He almost clinched the Tata Steel title at Wijk aan Zee, losing only in a tie-break to Praggnanandhaa. But after that, things got bumpy.
Gukesh hit a rough patch in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. At Weissenhaus, he didn’t win a single game, 11 draws and 6 losses. Paris wasn’t much better. Then, at the Superbet Chess Classic in Romania, he managed just one win, six draws, and two defeats, scraping into joint sixth place.
Norway Chess: The Comeback He Needed
But Norway Chess was a different story. Gukesh came roaring back, silencing critics and surprising even. The big headline? He beat Magnus Carlsen in classical chess for the first time ever, a win so shocking it made Carlsen smash his fist on the table. Gukesh also scored his first classical win over Arjun Erigaisi, another rising Indian star.
For most of the tournament, Gukesh D was right on Carlsen’s heels, just half a point behind. In the end, he finished third overall, just behind Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.
Vishy Anand’s Report Card: Harsh but Honest
Now, let’s get to the main event, Vishy Anand’s grade. Anand, a five-time world champion and Gukesh’s mentor, is never one to sugarcoat things. Before Norway Chess, he was pretty blunt: “I would say only ‘D minus’, but Wijk aan Zee is pulling him to ‘D plus’ maybe or ‘C minus’,” Anand said, pointing out Gukesh’s struggles after the world championship win.
But after Norway Chess, Anand changed his tune. “I think I will go up to B. He deserved a D, but he got a lot of answers correct somehow (at Norway Chess). So that’s a B. Given that he survived and based on his points, I would give him a B,” Anand told Chess.com. In other words, Gukesh D’s fighting spirit and ability to bounce back under pressure earned him a big upgrade.
What Worked and What Needs Work
Anand didn’t just hand out grades; he explained his reasoning. He praised Gukesh for his resourcefulness, especially in tough positions. Beating both Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi from difficult spots is something only a handful of players in the world can do. But Anand also pointed out some flaws: Gukesh made questionable decisions, sometimes not even under time trouble, and relied a bit too much on his defensive skills. Anand compared it to having an army you hope you never have to use, you don’t want to depend on defense all the time.
Anand summed it up perfectly: “Needs further improvement” and “must work harder.” Gukesh is still young, still learning, and still has a lot of room to grow. But if Norway Chess proved anything, it’s that he’s got the heart of a champion and the nerves to match.
So, what’s the verdict? Gukesh D’s Norway Chess report card from Anand is a solid B. Not perfect, but a massive step up from where he was just a few months ago. The takeaway? Gukesh is back in the game, and if he keeps learning and fighting, the sky’s the limit.
Also Read: Is Classical Chess No Longer Cool? R Praggnanandhaa Explains
