D Gukesh aims for revenge against Magnus Carlsen in an attempt to turn his fate around

Reigning World Chess Champion D. Gukesh is on a mission to reclaim his dominance. Fresh off a crushing defeat at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, the 18-year-old prodigy is laser-focused on vengeance. Since his historic World Championship triumph in December, Gukesh’s journey has been a rollercoaster—stumbling against compatriot R. Praggnanandhaa in the Tata Steel final before falling short against Carlsen himself.

Now, with grit and renewed resolve, the Chennai-born grandmaster is determined to reverse his fortunes. The chess world waits with bated breath as Gukesh prepares for a high-stakes rematch against the Norwegian legend. But where will this clash of titans unfold?

The ultimate arena for D Gukesh’s redemption arc

The stage is set. From May 26th, Stavanger, Norway, will host the prestigious Norway Chess tournament—a battleground where D Gukesh will lock horns with Magnus Carlsen for the first time since their 2023 FIDE World Cup quarterfinal showdown. For Gukesh, this isn’t just another tournament; it’s a chance to prove his resilience.

“It will, no doubt, be a great learning experience playing Magnus. I am looking forward to playing my best,” he told Sportstar.

The road to Stavanger hasn’t been smooth. After his World Championship victory, Gukesh faced setbacks that tested his mettle. A tiebreak loss to Praggnanandhaa in the Tata Steel final left him introspective.

“You can’t win everything,” he admitted, adding, “I will look at them objectively and see where I can improve.”

His eighth-place finish at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in Germany further fueled his hunger. Though he called it a “bad event,” D Gukesh remains enthusiastic about the format, eyeing the next Freestyle event in Paris (April 8–15) as a warm-up for Norway.

Beyond the board, Gukesh’s journey resonates as a story of defiance. Raised in a family that faced financial hurdles, he dismisses notions that sport is a privilege of the wealthy.

“If you are sincere and have willpower, no matter your background, you can achieve,” he asserted, reflecting on his early struggles.

His alma mater, Velammal Nexus, recently celebrated his rise with a grand felicitation—complete with lasers, dance, and K-pop—honoring him with ₹1 crore. “The school has supported me from the beginning till now. I am ever thankful to them,” he said.

As Norway Chess looms, D Gukesh's focus is unshakable. Can he outmaneuver Magnus Carlsen, the chess titan who has long dominated the scene? For the young champion, this isn’t just about revenge—it’s about rewriting a narrative of setbacks into one of triumph. The world watches as Gukesh steps onto the board, ready to turn the tide.