Indian chess star Gukesh has taken a commanding three-point lead at the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia 2025 after a dominant performance in the rapid chess section.
Gukesh Conquers Carlsen (Again)
The young Indian sensation recently defeated reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen for the second time in rapid chess. This impressive win in Zagreb followed a classical victory at Norway Chess just weeks earlier.
Chess legend Garry Kasparov was among those impressed, stating, “Now we can question Magnus’ domination.” He highlighted that Gukesh’s victory was a convincing one, not just due to Carlsen’s mistakes, but a hard-fought battle where Magnus ultimately lost.
From Doubts to Dominance
Gukesh arrived in Zagreb with many observers questioning his abilities in faster chess formats like rapid and blitz. His calculated, deep-thinking style was thought to be a disadvantage in time-constrained games.
After an initial loss, Gukesh quickly found his rhythm. He went on to defeat five top players: Alireza Firouzja, Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Fabiano Caruana, and Magnus Carlsen. He concluded the rapid section with a win over Wesley So, solidifying his lead.
The “Grindmaster” Revealed
Carlsen himself had previously underestimated Gukesh’s rapid chess skills, calling him “one of the weaker players in the field.” However, Gukesh has dished out “humble pie” by showcasing incredible resilience.
Garry Kasparov compared playing Gukesh to “playing a computer” due to his uncanny ability to recover from difficult positions. “He has many lives (in each game). You have to beat him many times,” Kasparov explained, praising Gukesh’s resilience as “absolutely amazing.”
This “grinding” ability, where Gukesh digs in and extends games even from disadvantages, is a quality Carlsen himself was once famous for.
A Strong Lead into Blitz
Gukesh now heads into the blitz section of the tournament with a significant three-point lead. He has accumulated 14 points, with Jan-Krzysztof Duda in second place with 11 points, and Magnus Carlsen trailing at 10 points.
India’s other promising talent, Praggnanandhaa, is tied for fourth place with nine points. The coming weekend will see players compete in 18 blitz games, where each win is worth one point, making Gukesh’s current lead crucial.
Opponents Take Notice
Fabiano Caruana, another top player Gukesh defeated, acknowledged his impressive performance. Caruana noted that Gukesh’s wins weren’t just from opening preparation but from “good practical play, putting pressure and good calculation.”
“He was underestimated in rapid chess,” Caruana added, admitting he never considered Gukesh an easy opponent in the format. The world is now truly recognizing Gukesh’s immense talent across all chess formats.
- Gukesh defeated Magnus Carlsen for the second time in recent weeks.
- He leads the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia 2025 by three points after the rapid section.
- Chess legends like Garry Kasparov have praised Gukesh’s “resilience” and ability to “grind” out wins.
- Gukesh has defied initial doubts about his rapid chess skills, proving himself against top-tier opponents.
As Gukesh continues his incredible run, all eyes will be on him during the upcoming blitz games, where he looks to solidify his claim as one of the world’s best.
