Chess icon Viswanathan Anand has given D Gukesh a “B” grade for his performance at Norway Chess, highlighting the young World Champion’s resilience despite some strategic missteps.
Gukesh’s Recent Journey: From Slump to Surge
After becoming the youngest world chess champion last December, Gukesh Dommaraju has experienced a rollercoaster of performances. He narrowly missed winning the Tata Steel event, losing in a tie-break to Praggnanandhaa.
Following this, Gukesh hit a rough patch in a couple of Freestyle Chess events. One tournament, in particular, was a “chastening experience” with no wins and six losses. His struggles continued at the Superbet Chess Classic Romania, where he barely avoided last place.
However, Norway Chess marked a strong turnaround for the classical world champion. He achieved significant firsts, including his first classical victory over world no. 1 Magnus Carlsen and a win against fellow Indian grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi. He ultimately finished third in the standings, just half a point behind Carlsen.
Anand’s Report Card: A Nuanced “B”
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who mentors Gukesh, significantly upgraded his assessment after Norway Chess. Previously, Anand had given Gukesh a “C minus” for his performance over the preceding six months.
“I think I will go up to B,” Anand told Chess.com, explaining his revised grade. “He deserved a D, but he got a lot of answers correct somehow (at Norway Chess). So that’s a B. Given that he survived and based on his points, I would give him a B.”
Anand’s earlier “C minus” assessment reflected Gukesh’s mixed results after his World Championship win. He noted that Gukesh played “extremely well” at Wijk aan Zee, but the rest of the period was “much more discreet,” adding that Gukesh was “finding his way” as opponents now treat him differently.
Learning from “Questionable Decisions”
Despite the improved grade, Anand offered a candid critique of Gukesh’s play at Norway Chess. He pointed out that the teenager made “a lot of questionable decisions” in his moves, not just under time pressure, but even in the earlier stages of games.
Anand acknowledged that Gukesh’s wins against Carlsen and Erigaisi came from “questionable positions.” He recognized the criticism directed at these games as “fair.”
Yet, Anand also highlighted Gukesh’s exceptional resourcefulness and defensive skills. He questioned how many other players could beat such strong opponents from difficult positions. While praising Gukesh’s ability to escape, Anand cautioned against over-relying on defensive play. He emphasized that Gukesh still needs to “catch up with the more experienced players like Fabiano Caruana, Magnus Carlsen, and Hikaru Nakamura,” indicating ample room for growth.
- Vishy Anand upgraded Gukesh’s performance grade from “C minus” to “B” after Norway Chess.
- Gukesh showed strong resilience and secured key wins against top players like Magnus Carlsen.
- Despite the success, Anand noted “questionable decisions” in Gukesh’s play, even in early game phases.
- Anand praised Gukesh’s defensive skills but advised against over-reliance on them.
Anand’s balanced assessment provides valuable insights into Gukesh’s ongoing development, reminding us that even world champions have areas for improvement as they navigate the elite chess landscape.
