Magnus Carlsen's quiet storm: How chess king humbled Gukesh amid doubt, drama, and a blitz rampage
The Rivalry Intensifies: Carlsen vs. Gukesh
Ahead of the Grand Chess Tour 2025 in Croatia, Magnus Carlsen, known for his psychological warfare, made headlines with provocative comments regarding D. Gukesh. Carlsen said he would approach the upcoming tournament as if playing against one of the weaker participants. He further questioned Gukesh's abilities in shorter time controls, indicating that the Indian World Champion had not shown anything to suggest he would perform well in such a tournament.
This dismissive assessment was rooted in Gukesh's FIDE ratings, placing him significantly lower in Rapid (42nd) and Blitz (93rd) than his classical World Champion status. Carlsen acknowledged Gukesh's previous good performance at the venue but added that his proficiency in this format still needed to be proven among the top players. This public challenge ignited debate and amplified the stakes for their next encounter.
The Grand Chess Tour 2025 in Zagreb marked their first face-off since the "table smash." The tournament format, featuring nine rapid and eighteen blitz rounds, was precisely the shorter time control Carlsen had doubted Gukesh's proficiency.
Carlsen's Candid Reflections: Winning Without Optimal Play
Despite his pre-tournament remarks downplaying Gukesh's abilities and candid admissions of not being at his best, Carlsen emerged victorious again. His triumph showcased unique resilience and an unparalleled ability to win even when, as he described it, the moves were not flowing.
Carlsen openly admitted to struggling throughout the tournament, revealing a lack of enjoyment in playing chess and a constant hesitation, indicating his play was relatively poor at the time. Despite these profound internal struggles, Carlsen's ultimate triumph underscored a truth he articulated: when others do not perform exceptionally well, his less-than-perfect game is usually sufficient, though he always strives for more. He even conveyed a feeling that he hadn't truly won the tournament, given that only one day's performance was very decent, with the rest being merely acceptable at best. This admission from the world's best player offers a rare glimpse into the mental fortitude required to win at the highest level, even when passion wanes.
The Tournament Turnaround: From Deficit to Dominance
The tournament saw Gukesh initially dominate the rapid section, securing a convincing 3-point lead and emerging as the favourite heading into the blitz rounds. His strong start included a victory over Carlsen in the rapid event, putting him in the sole lead after the rapid stage.
However, the tide turned dramatically in the blitz segment, a format where Carlsen's speed and intuition are legendary. Despite his self-professed lack of enjoyment and feeling mentally sluggish on the final day, Carlsen demonstrated formidable blitz skills. He seized the opportunity as Gukesh struggled in the faster format, losing only one blitz game while winning eight and drawing the rest. This strong showing, particularly on Day 4, allowed Carlsen to storm into the lead and clinch the title with a round to spare. Their third individual clash resulted in a swift 14-move Berlin draw variation, an anticlimactic moment that underscored the cautious respect between them.
Final Standings: A Testament to Carlsen's Unique Prowess
The final standings of the SuperUnited Croatia Rapid & Blitz event vividly illustrate Carlsen's victory and his unique ability to win even when not at his peak:
Player Rapid Points Blitz Points Overall Points GM Magnus Carlsen 10 12.5 22.5 GM Wesley So 8 12 20 GM Gukesh D 14 5.5 19.5 GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda 11 5 16 GM Praggnanandhaa R 9 4.5 13.5 View All
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Note: Rapid wins count for 2 points, draws 1 point; Blitz wins count for 1 point, draws 0.5 points.
Gukesh's commanding lead in the rapid section (14 points) clearly shows his initial strength. However, Carlsen's subsequent domination in the blitz (12.5 points) highlights his remarkable ability to shift gears and capitalize on opponents' weaknesses in faster formats. Despite Carlsen's admitted struggles, the final winning margin highlights his exceptional ability to secure victory even when not at his peak. It is a testament to a fundamental understanding of the game and a competitive drive that often proves more than sufficient, even when his "A-game" is elusive. This victory redefines what constitutes the status of a "Greatest Of All Time" (GOAT), emphasizing unparalleled consistency and the extraordinary ability to prevail despite internal and external challenges.
Beyond the Chess Board: Ella's Support and the Dad-to-Be Factor
Behind Magnus Carlsen's strategic brilliance stands his wife, Ella, whom he married in a picturesque ceremony in Oslo. Ella is more than just a supportive presence; she described being actively involved rather than merely waiting bored at the hotel and watching his games, highlighting her active and integral role.
A significant personal milestone, adding another profound layer to Carlsen's current journey, is the couple's announcement in May 2025 that they are expecting their first child. Magnus confirmed the joyous news with a social media post featuring his pregnant wife. Ella has openly discussed the logistical challenges of balancing impending parenthood with Magnus's demanding career, yet she confidently affirmed that he would be an amazing father. Carlsen subtly acknowledged Ella's positive influence, particularly on Day 4 of the Grand Chess Tour when he put up a strong show, remarking that his score might have been different otherwise. This statement hints at the crucial, albeit often unseen, role her presence and support play in his performance and overall well-being.
The GOAT's Unwavering Dominance: Carlsen's Unparalleled Achievements
Despite his self-professed less-than-peak performance and internal struggles, Magnus Carlsen's victory at the Grand Chess Tour 2025 unequivocally reaffirmed his status as the "GOAT." His dominance in the chess world is unparalleled:
World No. 1 in FIDE rankings since July 1, 2011, marking the longest consecutive streak in history.
Five-time World Chess Champion. Five-time World Rapid Chess Champion. Reigning eight-time World Blitz Chess Champion. Peak rating of 2882, achieved in May 2014, the highest in history. The longest unbeaten streak at the elite level in classical chess at 125 games.
This latest triumph in Croatia marks his sixth consecutive tournament victory in 2025, a testament to his relentless winning streak.
Magnus Carlsen's victory at the Grand Chess Tour 2025 vividly showcased the escalating, emotionally charged rivalry with D. Gukesh, where the young Indian prodigy continues to challenge the established order, securing significant victories against the World No. 1. Yet, Carlsen, the undisputed "GOAT," demonstrated an unparalleled capacity to win even when feeling mentally fatigued and not enjoying chess, a testament to his good-enough performance often being more than enough to overcome the world's best.
The chess world now eagerly anticipates the next chapter in the Carlsen-Gukesh saga, a rivalry that has transcended the chessboard to capture the imagination of millions globally. Will Gukesh continue his meteoric ascent, solidifying his challenge to Carlsen's supremacy across all formats? Or will Carlsen, the reluctant champion who continues to defy expectations, further cement his legacy by proving that even a less-than-perfect performance is sufficient for the undisputed King of Chess to win another major tournament comfortably? The pieces are set for more thrilling encounters.
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