The Clutch Chess 2025, true to its reputation, did not disappoint on Day 2 either. On day 1, we saw Gukesh D taking a much-anticipated revenge on Hikaru Nakamaura for the US vs India incident, and taking the sole lead of the tournament as it started. However, on day 2, things took a wild turn, and he slipped to the last position after suffering multiple defeats.
Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen showed why he is the absolute GOAT of chess, and took the sole lead of the tournament on day 2 as Fabiano Caruana sprinted to second place from last.
Clutch Chess 2025 Day 2: The Shift In Momentum
Clutch Chess 2025 day 1 saw Gukesh start strong, taking the lead with some solid wins and draws, proving why he’s the reigning world champion. But chess is a game of momentum, and on Day 2, everything changed. Magnus Carlsen came out swinging, handing Gukesh two tough losses and then sweeping his next battle against Hikaru Nakamura 2-0.
But the drama doesn’t stop there. Fabiano Caruana, who began the day languishing near the bottom, put on a masterclass of comebacks by beating Carlsen in two back-to-back games, shaking up the leaderboard. Despite those setbacks, Carlsen’s early wins kept him firmly in the lead with 11.5 points out of 18 on the scoreboard. Gukesh, on the other hand, endured a tough day with three defeats and three draws, falling to joint-last position with 7 points alongside Nakamura.
Gukesh kept his cool despite the rough day, admitting he wasn’t sharp and took too much time on moves he shouldn’t have. “Forget what happened and come fresh tomorrow,” he said, showing the true champion’s spirit. Magnus himself admitted Day 2 wasn’t his cleanest, calling his win over Gukesh “the only good game” he played in the tournament so far, and saying he wished he had more control in his games. But hey, the results matter, and Carlsen’s fearless aggression is rewarding him well.
Read More
What’s Next?
Here’s what makes the Clutch Chess 2025 format even more thrilling: wins on the final day are worth triple points! That means the leaderboard could flip in a flash. Caruana is just a point behind Carlsen, and with the unique scoring system, even the players at the bottom have a shot at seizing victory. Every game from here on is packed with potential to turn the tournament upside down.
So whether you’re team Carlsen or rooting for Gukesh’s comeback, the Clutch Chess 2025 is proving to be a mind-blowing spectacle of skill, nerves, and drama. Buckle up, chess fans, this ride isn’t over yet!
Also read: D Gukesh’s Classy Response After Beating Hikaru Nakamura Wins Fans Over
