Latest news with #GukeshD
India Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Gukesh vs Carlsen: The rivalry that's shaking the Chess world
Gukesh D is not just India's youngest chess sensation — he's now the man who beat Magnus Carlsen in his own backyard at Norway Chess 2025. From calm confidence to cold handshakes, is this the beginning of chess's next great rivalry? #GukeshD #MagnusCarlsen #Chess #WorldNews #NorwayChess2025
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Gukesh hunts form at Norway Chess
Stavanger, Norway: As Gukesh D sat down for his social media commitments with Norway Chess ahead of the tournament, he was asked to read out from a little placard looking into the camera as a promo for the broadcasters. 'Hi, I'm Gukesh. I'm the world No. 3...' He paused, glanced down at the placard and, wearing a slightly puzzled look, tried piecing together the rest of the script. Someone from among the handful watching on whispered: 'you're the world champion!' 'Can I say that?' Gukesh inquired. 'Of course,' came the reply. The script was tweaked, and 'world No.3' was mentally erased. It's great to become the youngest world chess champion in history at 18. But it's far from easy. The title brings an unprecedented level of attention in India, heightened interest globally, and a steep rise in expectations. The soft-spoken teen from Chennai isn't used to it all—nor is he a natural at it (though he doesn't mind the occasional dance). In this small Norwegian town, where all players are cooped up in the same hotel, you might catch Magnus Carlsen watching basketball on his iPad at breakfast or Arjun Erigaisi chatting with his mother over lunch. Gukesh, however, has been a rare sight in such common areas, appearing mostly for official tournament engagements. During the chat, when asked to name a Bollywood movie title that best fits his World Championship triumph, he struggled to come up with one before sheepishly offering: 'Baahubali, maybe.' The comparison wasn't far off. The youngster was made to feel like the larger-than-life Baahubali in the immediate aftermath of his stunning victory over Ding Liren last December. He returned to a hero's welcome in Chennai—garlands, cheering crowds, and a slew of felicitations, including the prestigious Khel Ratna award. Gukesh admitted it took time to adjust. As part of that learning curve, he now wears a mask when stepping out in Chennai—or anywhere in India—where he thinks he might be recognized. 'I've learned to deal with it. I've settled into it,' Gukesh told Norway Chess. 'It's one of those things—soon after the World Championship, everything changed so much.' So did the way other players view him. This 18-year-old is no longer the wide-eyed prodigy or the hungry challenger. He's the bona fide world champion—with or without the Carlsen asterisk. 'When I wasn't world champion and I was playing the world champion, it was motivating for me,' Gukesh said. 'So, I think it's the same now for others. And it motivates me too—to keep working and improving myself. It's a healthy challenge.' It's a challenge he's currently navigating. The dream of becoming world champion has been followed by the reality of a dip in form. The man who scaled the summit of classical chess is now hunting desperately for wins. The Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee—where he tied for first in classical and lost to R Praggnanandhaa in a tiebreak—has been a rare exception in an otherwise forgettable run leading into Norway Chess. The tournament features a stacked field, including the world's top five players. 'After the World Championship... Wijk was really good... but since then, none of the tournaments have actually gone well,' Gukesh said. 'But okay—I'm back to working, back to training, back to playing. If I keep doing the right things and stay consistent, the results will come. And this [Norway Chess] is one opportunity to pull it back.' For Gukesh, the biggest challenge in his transition from prodigy to world champion is eliminating weak moments during tournaments. At a lower level, you might get away with them, but now, he says, 'you get punished literally every time.' The margin for error is minimal, and the spotlight on each of his results, maximal. He's carried expectations from a young age, but this, as he puts it, is a 'new level.' 'But I see it as a challenge—to prove to myself that I can handle this. Even though expectations are high, I can meet them if I keep working hard and doing my best.' That's what he's aiming for now: to rediscover his form—not to prove anything about his legitimacy as world champion, or his quality as a chess player. 'Last year, in classical chess, I already played a few tournaments that kind of proved whatever needed to be proven,' he said. 'Right now, the focus isn't on proving anything. The World Championship is not where I want to stop. I want to go beyond that. So, it's not about proving—it's about improving.'
Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Chess Hits the Big Stage
ARLINGTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On October 4 th, 2025, the world's spotlight turns to Arlington as America's finest take on India's stars in Checkmate: USA vs. India, a landmark global chess showdown at Esports Stadium Arlington, Texas' premier esports venue. Checkmate: USA vs. India will spotlight chess like never before—combining a high-drama, fast-paced format with the full spectacle of North American sports. Share Checkmate: USA vs. India will spotlight chess like never before—combining a high-drama, fast-paced format with the full spectacle of North American sports: national anthems, electrifying production, and edge-of-your-seat entertainment. With 2,500 fans in the arena and millions more expected to watch globally, this event reimagines how chess is played, celebrated, and broadcast to the world. The head-to-head lineup features some of the most celebrated names in modern chess. Hikaru Nakamura (USA) vs. Gukesh D (IND) The Blitz King vs The World Champ Fabiano Caruana (USA) vs. Arjun Erigaisi (IND) The Ice vs The Intellect Checkmate: USA vs. India will feature the top two players from each country, and four of the top five players in the world. Levy Rozman (USA) vs. Sagar Shah (India) YouTube Royalty The event will also include a never seen before showdown between two of the largest chess streamers in the world, that represent over 10 million combined followers. Carissa Yip (USA) vs. Divya Deshmukh (India) Future Queens of Chess Tanitoluwa Adewumi (USA) vs. Ethan Vaz (India) Under 15 Prodigies Crucially, Checkmate: USA vs. India will introduce new and emerging chess stars to the world, and will have the best women's and youth players faceoff in Dallas. With national pride and global bragging rights on the line, this high-stakes series promises to be a must-watch cultural moment. Tickets go on sale May 1 st and are expected to sell out fast. Tickets available at: 'This is the kind of event that elevates chess to the next level,' said Hikaru Nakamura, five-time U.S. Champion and international chess icon. 'India has become one of the most exciting forces in global chess, and I'm thrilled to take them on in front of a live crowd here in the U.S. We want to show the world that America is home to some of the best players in the game—and that chess can be as thrilling and competitive as any major sport.' Produced by Checkmate Strategic Ventures, the event brings together top players, organizers, sponsors, and streamers under one roof to reshape the future of chess entertainment. 'Chess is a global language, spoken by over 600 million players—and yet, its full power has never truly been unleashed on the world's biggest screens," said Salim Belcadi of Checkmate Strategic Ventures, lead organizer of the series. "After witnessing the sold-out crowds and millions of viewers at the FIDE Candidates 2024, it became clear: chess is no longer just a game. It's a spectacle waiting for its stage. Checkmate: USA vs. India brings the world's most iconic players into a battlefield of speed, tension, and unstoppable drama. A fast, breathtaking format. A clash of giants. This is chess, reimagined for a new era.' With global chess viewership at an all-time high across YouTube, Twitch, Kick and OTT platforms, Checkmate: USA vs. India offers an unprecedented opportunity for broadcast and streaming partners. Checkmate Strategic Ventures is currently reviewing proposals for: Live Broadcast & Streaming Rights Sponsorship & Brand Partnerships
