In the world of chess, where every move is scrutinized and every decision can make or break reputations, young Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh has become a central figure. At just 19, the prodigy has already scaled monumental heights, dethroning World Champion Ding Liren last December to become the world’s top-ranked player. But the road since has been rocky — until Norway Chess offered a glimpse of his resilience.
A tumultuous season for D Gukesh
Gukesh’s form had been in question following a string of underwhelming performances in early 2025. At the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Weissenhaus, he failed to secure a single win, registering 11 draws and six losses. The Superbet Chess Classic in Romania fared only marginally better, with one win to his name. With each event, concerns mounted about whether the young sensation could recapture the fire that had carried him to the pinnacle of the chess world.
Redemption at Norway Chess
The Norway Chess tournament marked a turning point. D Gukesh stunned the chess world by defeating five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen in a gripping classical game — a loss that prompted a visibly frustrated Carlsen to slam the table, a clip that quickly went viral.
He followed it up with another win against fellow Indian star Arjun Erigaisi, solidifying his place among the world’s elite. Though he ultimately finished third, just half a point behind Carlsen, Gukesh’s performance reignited belief in his capabilities.
Viswanathan Anand's Report Card
Five-time World Champion and mentor Viswanathan Anand has kept a close eye on D Gukesh’s trajectory. Initially critical of his protege’s inconsistency, Anand had previously given him a harsh “D minus” rating.
“I think I would say only ‘D minus’, but Wijk aan Zee is pulling him to ‘D plus’ maybe or ‘C minus’,” Anand remarked about Gukesh's performance earlier in the year.
However, after witnessing Gukesh’s resilience in Norway, Viswanathan Anand revised his assessment. “I think I will go up to B. He deserved a D, but he got a lot of answers correct somehow. So that’s a B,” he said in an interview with Chess.com. “Given that he survived and based on his points, I would give him a B.”
“Needs further improvement” — Anand’s honest take
Despite the upgrade, Anand didn’t shy away from pointing out flaws in Gukesh’s play. “At Norway Chess, D Gukesh made a lot of questionable decisions in his moves and not in time trouble. He did it in the earlier phase of the game,” he explained, noting that such errors were rightly criticized.
Yet, Viswanathan Anand also acknowledged the complexity of Gukesh’s wins. “The two games he won with Magnus and Arjun are really the questionable ones. I’ll grant you all that. But then let me turn the same question: how many people in the world can beat Arjun and Magnus from these positions?”
Anand concluded with a candid but encouraging note: “He’s still very strong and he just needs to find the right connections again. What would I put on a report card? I think ‘needs further improvement’ is kind of obvious; ‘must work harder’... something like that.”
As the chess world watches closely, D Gukesh’s journey is far from over. But if Norway Chess is any indication, the young prodigy is learning, adapting, and preparing to strike again.