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Fresh from his World Chess Championship triumph, D Gukesh, the youngest-ever world chess champion, is taking a brief pause from the ongoing FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships. Gukesh, 18, has been busy with felicitation ceremonies and interviews. One such interview included a discussion about Magnus Carlsen's public criticism of him and the reasons behind Gukesh's challenge to the Norwegian grandmaster.
Historic World Championship Victory
Gukesh made history by clinching the World Chess Championship title in Singapore, where he defeated the defending champion, Ding Liren. His path to the final was marked by a thrilling victory in the Candidates tournament, where he faced Liren in a tense match that reached a decisive 14th game. With the match nearing a tiebreaker, Liren attempted to force a draw, but a crucial blunder on move 55 allowed Gukesh to claim victory, cementing his place in chess history.
Magnus Carlsen’s Criticism
Despite Gukesh’s monumental achievement, Magnus Carlsen downplayed the significance of the match. Carlsen criticized the quality of the World Chess Championship final, referring to the classical chess format as the “worst” way to determine the best player in the world. His remarks have drawn attention, especially in light of Gukesh's victory.
Gukesh’s Challenge to Carlsen
After winning the World Chess Championship, Gukesh humbly stated that he did not consider himself the best player in the world but went on to issue a challenge to Carlsen. However, Carlsen publicly declined the challenge, stating that he had no interest in competing for the World Championship title. In response, Gukesh subtly criticized Carlsen's refusal, emphasizing that “It’s not the fault of other players."
Gukesh’s Response to Carlsen’s Criticism
In a candid interview with India Today, Gukesh elaborated on the situation. He explained, “It was a bit of both. At that moment, I was being honest. While the match was between two of the best players in the world, it didn’t determine who the best player really is. Some might believe it should, but when the best player refuses to play, it’s not the fault of the other players. As a chess fan, I would love to see Magnus back.”
Gukesh also addressed Carlsen's criticism of his World Chess Championship win, revealing that he was aware of Carlsen's analysis of the games. "I knew Magnus was analyzing the games on the TakeTakeTake app. Some of my team members were listening in and got insights from it," Gukesh said. Despite acknowledging the validity of some criticisms, he added, "At my age, it’s easier for things to motivate me, and I want to prove them wrong. Criticism has always driven me throughout my career. I believe no one can criticize me more than I do myself."
Future Matchups
Looking ahead, Gukesh is gearing up for several exciting matchups in the new year. He will compete against his idol, Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, as well as face Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi in high-profile matches, promising even more action for chess fans worldwide.
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