Gukesh D, the reigning World Chess Champion, has stunned fans with a shocking hat-trick of losses at the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. It’s not every day you witness a champion falter three games in a row, but that’s precisely what happened in Samarkand as Gukesh’s campaign took a sudden shift, sparking debates, heartbreaks, and unexpected excitement among chess enthusiasts worldwide.
Gukesh D: A Champion Under Pressure
Gukesh D came into the Grand Swiss with expectations sky-high, carrying the aura of a champion and the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. After cruising through the opening rounds, the tide turned dramatically, first with a defeat to the youngest GM, who beat a world champion, Abhimanyu Mishra, then a gut-wrenching loss to Greek GM Nikolas Theodorou, and finally, a third consecutive stumble at the hands of 16-year-old Turkish sensation Ediz Gurel.
This clash was expected to be a comeback moment. Instead, fans witnessed heartbreak on the board as he made a critical error in the endgame, losing a bishop and handing Ediz Gurel his first win over the reigning world champion. Even after a rest day, the slide continued, leaving chess fans and analysts speechless.
Can Gukesh D Still Win The Title?
Now comes the burning question swirling among fans, social media, and chess circles: Can Gukesh still win the title? Let’s be real, it’s a mountain almost too steep to climb. With only three points from seven rounds, Gukesh is two and a half points behind leaders like Nihal Sarin and Matthias Bluebaum, who already have 5.5 points each and are playing inspired chess.
The chasing pack, with names like Vidit Gujrathi and Alireza Firouzja, are also a full two points ahead, and every round has seen surprises, brutal upsets, and epic comebacks.
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So, for Gukesh D, the only mathematical way to stay in the title race is to win all remaining games, a scenario quite unlikely in such a star-studded field, especially given his recent struggle for form. So, keep an eye on the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, as the world awaits for Gukesh’s return.
Also read: Laver Cup 2025: All You Need To Know
