In a dazzling display of grit, genius, and growing dominance, 19-year-old World Champion D. Gukesh stormed to victory in the rapid section of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz tournament, part of the prestigious 2025 Grand Chess Tour, held in Zagreb, Croatia. With 14 points out of a possible 18, Gukesh didn’t just win—he made a statement.
From Setback to Supremacy
Gukesh’s campaign began with a stumble—a first-round loss to Jan-Krzysztof Duda. But what followed was nothing short of a masterclass in mental resilience. He bounced back with five consecutive wins, including a thunderous victory over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 4.
“Beating Magnus is always special,” Gukesh said. “I had a horrible position from the opening, but I turned it around. That gives me confidence.”
Tactical Brilliance on Display
Gukesh’s run was defined by:
- Six wins, including against Carlsen, Firouzja, Caruana, Abdusattorov, and Wesley So Two draws, including a grueling 87-move standoff against Ivan Saric One loss, in the opening round. His final round win over Wesley So was a 36-move tactical gem, capitalizing on a single misstep to convert a material edge into a full-point victory.
The Carlsen Clash: A Turning Point
The most talked-about moment? Round 4, when Gukesh, playing Black, dismantled Carlsen’s position after a critical b4 blunder. With less than 30 seconds on Carlsen’s clock, the Norwegian resigned—no fist slam, no eye contact, just quiet acknowledgment of a rising force. Even Garry Kasparov, watching live, remarked:
“Now we can question Magnus’ domination. This wasn’t just a loss—it was a convincing one.”
India Rising: Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa
While Gukesh soared, fellow Indian GM R. Praggnanandhaa had a quieter outing—one win, seven draws, and a single loss. Yet his earlier wins in Bucharest and Warsaw keep him in contention for the overall Grand Chess Tour title.
What’s Next?
The blitz section of the tournament runs through July 6, with combined scores from both formats deciding the overall Zagreb leg winner. Gukesh’s rapid triumph gives him a commanding lead—and a psychological edge. With upcoming Grand Chess Tour stops in the United States and Brazil, Gukesh’s form could define the 2025 chess season—and perhaps a new era in the sport.