Chess is full of drama, surprises, and shocks, and just recently, reigning World Chess Champion Gukesh D faced a harsh reality check as he slipped out of the top 10 in the official FIDE rankings, much to the surprise of many fans and followers.
Gukesh stunned the chess world by becoming the youngest undisputed world champion last year and has enjoyed a meteoric rise. However, the journey hasn’t been without turbulence. The October 2025 FIDE rankings revealed that the 19-year-old grandmaster now sits in the 11th position with a rating of 2752, having dropped 15 points since September after a challenging outing at the FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The Grand Swiss Catastrophe
The Grand Swiss tournament, one of the most critical events on the chess calendar, proved to be a painful battleground for Gukesh D. Ending 41st out of 116 players, Gukesh’s campaign was marked by a three-game losing streak against opponents rated below 2650, a shocker considering his champion status. To add insult to injury, four draws punctuated the rest of his 11-round run, reflecting a struggle to find the winning edge fans have come to expect.
What’s striking is the speed with which this slide has happened. Just last October, Gukesh D was rated 2794, showing a decline of 43 rating points over the year.
Gukesh D’s Loss, Arjun Erigiasi’s Dream
Meanwhile, this downturn has opened the doors for Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi to reclaim the title of India’s No. 1 player, catapulting himself to a career-best 4th place globally. The Indian chess scene has rarely been more vibrant or competitive, with names like R Praggnanandhaa, who is in 5th position as of October 2025 and others continually challenging the hierarchy.
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GukeshD’s fall from the top 10 might seem like a setback, but it’s far from the end. This young champion has already proven he can conquer giants like Magnus Carlsen and Ding Liren. Now, the real test lies in how quickly he rebounds from this stumble. If the past is any indicator, Gukesh D is far from done dazzling the chess world. This could just be another chapter in his thrilling journey back to the summit.
Also read: Fabiano Caruana Wins Grand Chess Tour 2025
