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Garry Kasparov, former world chess champion, has weighed in on Gukesh Dommaraju’s historic World Championship victory last year, calling the young Indian grandmaster the superior player in his match-up against Ding Liren. Speaking with the Saint Louis Chess Club, Kasparov didn't hold back in assessing the trajectory of both players, highlighting how COVID had derailed Ding's once-promising form.
“Gukesh was, in my view, a favorite because Ding was the pale shadow of what Ding was before COVID. COVID ruined him. After COVID, Ding was just a different player,” Kasparov said.
At just 18, Gukesh etched his name in history books in December last year by becoming the youngest-ever world champion, surpassing a record once held by Kasparov himself. The feat came after his World Championship victory in Singapore, marking a monumental achievement for Indian chess.
“Ding Was Brilliant Before COVID, But Gukesh Was Always Ahead”
Kasparov reminisced about Ding’s pre-pandemic brilliance, citing a standout performance from the Chinese star in St. Louis back in 2019. But he made it clear that Ding has not been the same since.
“I remember Ding’s performance in one of the events in St Louis (in 2019 against Magnus Carlsen). Absolutely phenomenal! Just absolutely phenomenal!” Kasparov noted.
While recognizing Ding’s tenacity and flashes of brilliance in the match against Ian Nepomniachtchi, Kasparov felt that Gukesh had momentum on his side following his victory at the Candidates Tournament.
“Everything can happen in a world championship match because it’s a long match. But Gukesh was always ahead. Ding fought heroically: he nearly saved the match. But I think it’s a result that is justified. Gukesh was a better player.”
Gukesh Breaks Kasparov’s Record but Faces a Different Landscape
Kasparov also addressed comparisons between his own rise to the throne and Gukesh’s achievement, pointing out the unique circumstances surrounding each champion’s ascent.
“(What Gukesh managed) is a phenomenal accomplishment. But I beat the strongest player in the world. Gukesh is in a different situation because Magnus is there. So Gukesh is official world champion, there’s no doubt about it, but there’s somebody else who is widely considered, by all metrics, as a better player. So he has plenty of room and plenty of time to improve. That’s a challenge that I’m sure he’s dealing with.”
Kasparov became the youngest world champion in 1985 at age 22 after defeating Anatoly Karpov, following the suspended 1984 championship. Gukesh’s journey, though equally historic, comes in an era where reigning World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen still looms large.
Gukesh Struggles at Bucharest Grand Chess Tour Event
Despite his title, Gukesh is currently enduring a challenging run at the Grand Chess Tour’s Bucharest leg. At the halfway point, he is yet to notch a win, with four draws and a loss.
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