When the chess world tunes in, it’s almost always a spectacle, but throw in Magnus Carlsen and Gukesh D, and the excitement multiplies by a hundred. Clutch Chess 2025 delivered just that. After their epic encounters earlier this year at the Norway Chess 2025, Carlsen has once again taken a swing at the rising Indian star, claiming that Gukesh “didn’t really get any real chances” to topple him. So, let’s find out what went down and why Carlsen’s words carry the weight they do.
What Happened at Clutch Chess 2025?
First up, Magnus Carlsen showed once again why he is the undisputed king of chess with a seemingly magical aura. Starting from the last position after Day 1 at the Clutch Chess 2025, his game saw a meteoric rise on Day 2 as he topped the rankings, and on Day 3, he finally took his Norway Chess 2025 revenge from the world champion Gukesh D as he defeated him in back-to-back two games and clinched the title with two games to spare.
What Did Magnus Carlsen Say?
In his own words, Magnus Carlsen said, “It was definitely quite similar to my game against him at Norway Chess. I was thinking during the game that ‘if I blow this one, then I don’t know what to do.’ It feels really good to win those kind of clean strategic games because you don’t get those very often. This one was just very clean, and he didn’t really get any real chances.”
But don’t get it twisted. Magnus wasn’t dismissing Gukesh’s talent. Fans of Gukesh might bristle at that statement, but the truth is, in Clutch Chess 2025, the chessboard wasn’t just a field of battle; it turned into a proving ground for the young prodigy.
Even Gukesh D accepted the sheer dominance of his seniors and shared, “At some point, it was very tough to start getting wins, and when it’s like that against this opposition, it usually goes downhill quite fast. But overall, it was a great experience, especially before the World Cup. There are no better training partners than these three! The good thing is these three won’t be there.”
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What made Clutch Chess incredibly gripping was its unique point scoring system. Fabiano Caruana, who finished second in the tournament, pointed it out and said, “I don’t even understand how I got second. The system is weird, I scored -1 if you think about it.”
In conclusion, Magnus Carlsen’s statement that Gukesh “didn’t really get any real chances” at Clutch Chess 2025 isn’t just a snub; it’s a challenge. A call-out that the road ahead for Gukesh is long but promising. Whatever happens now, one thing’s for sure: this chess rivalry is here to stay, and the fans are loving every second of it. So, buckle up because the future of chess is unfolding live, right before our eyes.
Also read: Clutch Chess 2025: Magnus Carlsen Takes The Win With Two Games Left
