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Reigning World Chess Champion D Gukesh is recalibrating his focus after a mixed start to 2025. The 18-year-old phenom, who made history as the youngest titleholder, recently visited Tirumala Temple in Andhra Pradesh, shaving his head in a spiritual homage reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s 2011 World Cup tribute.
But divine blessings aside, Gukesh faces earthly challenges: a shaky run at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam and a narrow loss to R Praggnanandhaa at the Tata Steel Masters. As he gears up for the Paris leg of the tour, the Indian prodigy reveals his blueprint for redemption.
D Gukesh’s 2025 Mantra
Fresh off a soulful pilgrimage to Tirumala Temple, Gukesh is channeling serenity into strategy. The Chennai-based grandmaster, who dethroned Ding Liren in 2024 to claim chess’ ultimate crown, opened up about his ambitions during a post-pilgrimage chat.
“There are a lot of important tournaments in 2025, so I’m focusing on that,” Gukesh told reporters. “I want to improve in all formats, and hopefully, with God’s grace, good things will happen.”
The declaration comes amid a turbulent stretch. At the Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, D Gukesh stumbled to an eighth-place finish, winless against heavyweights like Magnus Carlsen. Weeks earlier, he fell agonizingly short at the Tata Steel Masters, losing a tiebreaker to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa. Yet, setbacks haven’t dimmed his resolve.
“I always wanted to come here after the World Championship,” Gukesh said of his temple visit, “so I’m very happy and had a very good darshan.”
For Gukesh, 2025 is about evolution. Ranked third globally behind Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, he’s India’s top chess export—a title he wears with quiet determination. His priorities? Sharpening versatility across classical, rapid, and blitz formats. While his classical prowess propelled him to the world title, the Freestyle tour’s unorthodox time controls demand adaptability—a gap D Gukesh aims to bridge.
The Paris leg, running April 8–15, offers a prime redemption arc. Here, creativity clashes with calculation as players tackle hybrid formats. Gukesh’s recent struggles in freestyle underscore the challenge, but his track record suggests resilience. After all, this is the same teenager who stunned the chess world by toppling Ding Liren under Singapore’s spotlight.
As critics question his consistency, Gukesh’s temple ritual symbolizes more than gratitude—it’s a reset. “Improve in all formats” isn’t just a goal; it’s a vow to silence doubters. With classical dominance already secured, mastering speed chess could cement his legacy as a true all-format virtuoso.
For now, the chess world watches. Can D Gukesh’s spiritual reboot translate to tactical brilliance in Paris? One thing’s certain: the youngest world champion isn’t done rewriting the rules.
