Gukesh D, the teenage sensation, who broke the internet by defeating the world number 1, Magnus Carlsen, has done it again. He took down Carlsen, not once, but again, and this time, it was at the Grand Chess Tour 2025 and the world was watching for all the right reasons.
Many of us thought Gukesh’s first win over Carlsen was just luck. Even Gukesh himself, did not appear to be much confident and said, “99 out of 100 times I would lose. Just a lucky day”. But what happens when lightning strikes twice? Or thrice? It’s pure talent.
Grand Chess Tour 2025: Gukesh D vs Magnus Carlsen
SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia, Grand Chess Tour 2025, is ongoing. Carlsen, the world’s chess icon, sits across from Gukesh, the reigning world champion and the new face of Indian chess. The stakes? Bragging rights, leaderboard supremacy, and maybe, a little bit of pride.
Carlsen, just days earlier had called Gukesh “Gukesh hasn’t done anything to indicate that he’s going to do well in such a tournament. I hope, for his sake, that he can do better. But playing him in this tournament, I will approach it as if I’m playing one of the presumably weaker players (in the tournament),” and was out for revenge.
The Norwegian opened with the English, and seemed to have the upper hand. But Gukesh, as always, found a way to turn the tables with a sharp 26…d5. The stakes were higher than the last time as Carlsen’s clock ticked down and the pressurebuild. After 49 moves, Carlsen was forced to resign. And yes, no angry table slam this time, just a quiet defeat.
So, Is It Still Luck? Or Raw Talent?
Gukesh had already beaten Carlsen in classical chess at Norway Chess just a month earlier, in a game that left him so angry, he slammed the table. The memes went viral, but the message was clear: Gukesh is here, and he’s not just lucky.
The chess world loves a good debate: is it talent, or is it luck? Gukesh’s story is the answer. Yes, luck plays a role, and Carlsen himself has benefited from it countless times. But as the saying goes, “Luck favors the prepared mind.” Gukesh’s preparation, fighting spirit, and ability to seize the moment are what set him apart.
Even Carlsen, after his latest defeat, had to admit: “Poor from me, got soundly punished… but all credit to Gukesh”. And Garry Kasparov, the legend himself, said, “Gukesh didn’t just capitalize on mistakes, he played better”. So it looks like the debate is settled now. Gukesh D is the beginning of a new era in chess, and we are here for it.
