Gukesh Outwits Carlsen in Zagreb Thriller, Takes Sole Lead

Former world champion Garry Kasparov was full of praise for D. Gukesh. Reacting live during commentary, Kasparov remarked, “This is not just his second loss to Gukesh, it’s a convincing loss. It’s not a miracle.”

BY PC Bureau

July 4, 2025 — Teen chess sensation and reigning World Champion D. Gukesh continued his dream run at the Super United Rapid and Blitz Chess Tournament, outwitting world number one Magnus Carlsen in a high-stakes sixth-round clash to seize sole leadership of the event.

The victory, which came late Thursday evening, was Gukesh’s fifth in a row — an extraordinary streak that has seen him dismantle a lineup of top-tier opponents with characteristic calm and precision. With 10 points out of a possible 12 in the rapid section (two points per win), the 18-year-old now sits comfortably ahead of the field, with just three rapid rounds left to play before the blitz segment begins.

Facing Carlsen with the white pieces, Gukesh entered a line in the Italian Opening that he had previously tested in classical play, but this time delivered with added speed and flair. The Norwegian superstar, known for his resilience and deep positional understanding, was slowly squeezed in the middlegame. Gukesh maintained relentless pressure, inducing a fatal error in time trouble and converting his advantage with ruthless efficiency.

Observers noted that this was Gukesh’s second classical win over Carlsen within a year, a feat previously unthinkable for any player, let alone someone still in his teens. Carlsen, though visibly disappointed, was among the first to shake hands and acknowledge the young champion’s growing dominance in faster time formats.

READ: Centre to Hold Crucial Talks with Kuki SoO Group Amid Rising Tensions

Gukesh had already laid the groundwork for his surge on Day 1, securing convincing wins over former world champion Viswanathan Anand, American GM Wesley So, and the dangerous Alireza Firouzja. His ability to maintain composure under time pressure — a hallmark of elite rapid chess — has been a standout feature this week.

With Friday’s three remaining rapid games expected to determine critical momentum heading into the blitz portion, Gukesh’s lead gives him a substantial buffer. His closest rivals, including Fabiano Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi, trail by at least two points and are now in catch-up mode.

I am so happy for 🇮🇳 Gukesh 🇮🇳! Some have doubted his worthiness as a World Champion, and believed that he was just a lucky winner against an off form Ding Liren. I read a lot of criticism from doubters.

In this tournament in Croatia, he started off with a loss against Duda. He… pic.twitter.com/uVDJvjmJ2H

— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) July 3, 2025

“I’m just enjoying the games,” Gukesh said modestly after the match. “Magnus is always a very difficult opponent, and I knew I had to be precise. I didn’t expect this start, but I’ll just take it one game at a time.”

Analysts, however, are already predicting a possible clean sweep in the rapid segment if Gukesh continues with his current momentum. Several top GMs have praised his nerves, maturity, and deep opening preparation as key reasons for his success.

A New Era?

With the chess world already reeling from Gukesh’s historic win at the Candidates earlier this year — and his subsequent dethroning of Ding Liren to become the youngest world champion in history — this tournament in Zagreb may further cement the arrival of a new epoch in the sport. His head-to-head record against Carlsen, in particular, is starting to draw comparisons with rivalries of the past, though the teenager remains focused on the board, not the buzz.

READ: Richard Gere Joins Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday in Dharamshala

The Super United Rapid and Blitz, part of the Grand Chess Tour, features nine of the world’s top players and is played under a mixed format of rapid (25 minutes + 10-second increment) and blitz (5 minutes + 2-second increment) games. The rapid results are counted double, making Gukesh’s early lead even more impactful.

Former world champion Garry Kasparov was full of praise for D. Gukesh. Reacting live during commentary, Kasparov remarked, “This is not just his second loss to Gukesh, it’s a convincing loss. It’s not a miracle.”

He emphasized that Gukesh didn’t win by chance or capitalizing on a blunder, but rather through consistent, high-quality play. “It was a game that was a big fight. And Magnus lost,” Kasparov said, underlining that the result came from calculated precision and fearlessness against the world No. 1.

Great News!

Gukesh defeats Carlsen again, and this is his 5th win in a row in Zagreb. 😎

Kasparov remarks: “A very important day. Now we can question Magnus’ domination. It’s not just the second loss, it’s a very convincing loss.”

Bhartiya Chess going really strong. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/5SjXp0rlJm

— Pranav Mahajan (@pranavmahajan) July 3, 2025

“This result lets us question Magnus’ domination,” Kasparov noted, adding that Carlsen appeared visibly shaken by the loss, which came during the rapid section—a format long considered the Norwegian’s stronghold. “It’s rare to see Magnus on the back foot in speed chess, but Gukesh did just that,” he said.

Kasparov’s endorsement underscores the rising belief in chess circles that Gukesh is not just a rising star, but a serious contender against the very best. His five consecutive wins, culminating in the latest over Carlsen, have vaulted him into sole lead with 10 points from 12—making waves in the global chess arena.

Here are the full moves of the thrilling game between D. Gukesh and Magnus Carlsen.

Gukesh, playing Black, achieved a remarkable victory after what commentators described as a nearly lost position: