World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen has reignited chess’s timeless debate of instinct versus calculation, this time directing attention toward reigning world champion D Gukesh. The Norwegian maestro recently cast a critical eye on the young Indian prodigy’s prowess in blitz, rapid, and alternative chess formats, sparking intrigue across the chess community. At 18, Gukesh has already etched his name in history as the youngest classical world champion, blending relentless study with precision.
Carlsen, meanwhile, remains the sport’s modern benchmark, having dominated every corner of the game. Though the two grandmasters have shared mutual respect, their rivalry now simmers with a fresh layer of playful tension—one that Carlsen subtly stoked with his latest remarks.
Magnus Carlsen’s critique: “The Tortoise vs. The Hare”
During a candid chat on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Carlsen dissected the contrasting styles of today’s top young players. While praising 21-year-old Alireza Firouzja as an intuitive force who “became one of the best by constantly playing quick games,” he painted D Gukesh’s approach in a far more methodical light.
“He [Gukesh] doesn’t play casual games at all. He just studies his a* off all the time,”* Magnus Carlsen remarked. “He’s not good at rapid, he’s not good at blitz, he’s not good at other forms. But he’s made all his studies about classical chess.”
The five-time world champion highlighted Gukesh’s lack of early exposure to chess software, noting, “He didn’t even own a chess software on his computer before he was like 13, and he was a grandmaster at that time.”
Carlsen contrasted this with Firouzja’s instinct-driven gameplay, suggesting D Gukesh relies on meticulous calculation over intuition.
“During games, he [Gukesh] sees every position as a problem he has to solve… It’s like, ‘this is possible, this is possible—let me try to see this all the way through.’”
With a sly grin, Magnus Carlsen then invoked Aesop’s fable: “In certain situations, the tortoise will win, and in certain situations, the hare will win.”
The metaphor, while lighthearted, underscored his belief that Gukesh’s hyper-focused classical training leaves gaps in faster formats—a theory tested days prior when Carlsen defeated the Indian star at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Germany.
Though D Gukesh’s classical crown remains unchallenged, Magnus Carlsen’s remarks spotlight a broader question: Can sheer preparation outpace natural flair in today’s multifaceted chess landscape? For now, the chess world watches as the tortoise and hare continue their strategic dance—one move at a time.