D Gukesh silences critics of his rapid and blitz credentials with a dominant 10-point finish in Zagreb, defeating some of the world’s most decorated players in style.
BY PC Bureau
Zagreb, July 4, 2025 — In a landmark performance that could redefine the balance of power in world chess, 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster and reigning World Chess Champion D Gukesh won the rapid section of the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia 2025, the third leg of the prestigious Grand Chess Tour. Held in Zagreb from July 2 to 4, the rapid event featured a world-class field, but it was Gukesh who emerged as the dominant force — capped by a sensational win over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen.
Gukesh finished with 10 points out of a possible 18 (from 9 rounds, with 2 points for a win), two points ahead of his nearest rival, Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda. His victory is seen as a defining moment in the ongoing generational shift in elite chess.
A Star-Studded Field, A Rising Star
Held at The Westin Zagreb, the tournament featured 10 elite players, including Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana (World No. 3), R Praggnanandhaa (World No. 4), and Gukesh (World No. 6). The rapid section was a single round-robin format, with a $175,000 prize pool — $40,000 for the winner.
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Despite entering the event with a lower rapid rating and modest expectations, Gukesh outperformed seven of the world’s top ten players with a display marked by poise, precision, and psychological resilience.
🇮🇳 Gukesh 🇮🇳 convincingly wins SuperUnited Rapid in Croatia! After losing the first game against Duda, he scored 6 wins and 2 draws in the final 8 games (approximately 2950 performance overall) to outdistance the rest of the field! Very impressive for a “bottom feeder”! 👏 I… pic.twitter.com/7x3OrXFUx0
— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) July 4, 2025
Rocky Start, Ruthless Comeback
Gukesh’s campaign began on a sour note with a first-round loss to Duda, who surprised him with the rarely used Center Gambit. But the teenager responded with clinical wins against Alireza Firouzja and R Praggnanandhaa, pulling into a four-way tie for the lead after Day 1.
On Day 2, Gukesh soared. He defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Caruana before his highly anticipated clash with Carlsen — their first since Gukesh’s stunning classical win in Norway Chess 2025.
Carlsen, playing white, gained an early advantage using the English Opening. But an uncharacteristic push of his b-pawn (b4) invited Gukesh back into the game. The Indian prodigy capitalized ruthlessly, and Carlsen, under severe time pressure, collapsed. Gukesh won in 49 moves, his fifth consecutive victory.
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“Now we can question Magnus’ domination,” observed former World Champion Garry Kasparov during commentary. “It’s not just a loss, it’s a very convincing loss.”
Final Day: Nerves of Steel, Title Secured
On July 4, Gukesh began with a two-point lead over Duda and never looked back. With three rounds left, he maintained his composure, notching six wins and two draws after his opening-round loss. His final tally of 10 points out of 18 reflected a performance rating near 2950 — an extraordinary result in a field loaded with elite talent.
Point Tally – Rapid Section
| Rank | Player | Country | Points |
| 1 | D Gukesh | India | 10 |
| 2 | Jan-Krzysztof Duda | Poland | 8 |
| 3 | Wesley So | USA | 7 |
| T4 | Magnus Carlsen | Norway | 6 |
| T4 | Ivan Saric | Croatia | 6 |
| T4 | Anish Giri | Netherlands | 6 |
| T7 | R Praggnanandhaa | India | 5 |
| T7 | Fabiano Caruana | USA | 5 |
| T9 | Alireza Firouzja* | France | 4 |
| T9 | Nodirbek Abdusattorov* | Uzbekistan | 4 |
Gukesh vs Carlsen: A New Rivalry in the Making
Carlsen, who once labeled Gukesh as “presumably weaker” in rapid and blitz formats, was left to reassess. The Indian’s resilience — especially his ability to come back from poor openings — was on full display. Carlsen admitted post-match: “I’ve played kind of poorly the whole tournament… but credit to Gukesh—he’s doing incredibly well.”
Gukesh’s mentor, Viswanathan Anand, tweeted: “Gukesh is showing the world what Indian chess is capable of.” Garry Kasparov and Susan Polgar echoed the sentiment, highlighting the generational shift unfolding in real-time.
India’s Chess Renaissance
Gukesh’s rise — from becoming India’s youngest GM at 12 to world champion and now rapid tour leader — represents the culmination of years of investment in talent development. Trained at the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy, his victory is not just personal; it reflects India’s emergence as a global chess powerhouse.z
What’s Next: Blitz Awaits
The blitz phase of the event begins July 5, where Gukesh will look to consolidate his lead. With two games against Carlsen still to come, all eyes remain on the young Indian phenom as he attempts to complete one of the most commanding performances in Grand Chess Tour history.
D Gukesh’s triumph in Zagreb is more than a tournament win — it’s a bold statement. Against the world’s best, he has not only held his own but dominated. As the chess world recalibrates its expectations, one thing is clear: Gukesh is no longer the future. He is the present.
