Gukesh's recent chess struggles and India hosting bid

India's chess star D Gukesh has seen his world ranking drop, falling to fifth globally in June 2025. This comes as he aims to bring the World Championship match to India.
By Newsroom | Sports, Chess |

Youngest world champion D Gukesh has seen a tumultuous period, dropping in rankings and facing form slumps, while simultaneously expressing a desire to host the World Championship match in India.

Kokkinakis in fiery dispute over ace call - 1

A Year of Shifting Fortunes

The narrative surrounding D Gukesh, India's youngest chess prodigy and current World Champion, has been a complex weave of significant achievements and noticeable plateaus. In October 2025, Gukesh represented SuperChess at the European Club Cup, a competition that also saw notable performances from Divya Deshmukh and Nihal Sarin. By March 2026, however, reports painted a picture of struggle, with Gukesh, then 19, finishing at the bottom of a Prague tournament.

Kokkinakis in fiery dispute over ace call - 2

This fluctuation extended to official rankings. In June 2025, Arjun Erigaisi surpassed Gukesh to become India's number one player in the FIDE rankings, pushing Gukesh to fifth globally. This shift occurred after a disappointing outing at Norway Chess, where a loss against Fabiano Caruana proved decisive in Gukesh’s pursuit of the title.

Read More: Knicks lead Cavaliers 3-0, aim to win playoff series tonight

Kokkinakis in fiery dispute over ace call - 3

Aspiring for the Global Stage

Despite these on-board challenges, Gukesh articulated a clear ambition: to see the World Chess Championship match hosted in India. Such an event, he indicated, would be "supercool" for the nation's burgeoning chess landscape. This statement arrives amidst India's consistent presence and success in various international chess events, including Gukesh’s own victories and strong showings in classical and rapid formats throughout 2025, even if crucial breakthroughs proved elusive at times.

The Shadow of Past Triumphs

Gukesh's journey to the World Championship title, which he secured as the youngest ever, has been a landmark event. However, the intensity of the championship circuit and the demands of classical chess have been subjects of discussion, with Magnus Carlsen, a prominent figure in the chess world, expressing a diminished interest in the format's rigours. Gukesh himself, following the Norway Chess event in May 2025, stated an intention to participate in more classical tournaments, signaling a commitment to the demanding discipline.

Read More: Chess Championship Predictions Hard, Says Muzychuk

Contextualizing the Performances

The European Club Cup in October 2025 served as an early indicator of the year's competitive landscape, with Gukesh playing for SuperChess. Simultaneously, Divya Deshmukh contributed to Cercle d'échecs de Monte-Carlo’s victory in the women's section, while Nihal Sarin secured individual honours. The Norway Chess tournament in May 2025, a high-profile event, saw Gukesh face off against Magnus Carlsen, a match that generated significant attention, underscored by Carlsen’s notable post-match comment. Gukesh’s performance across classical and rapid tournaments in 2025, though marked by an inability to secure decisive wins consistently, demonstrated his sustained engagement with top-tier chess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did D Gukesh's chess ranking drop recently?
D Gukesh, the youngest World Champion, faced form slumps and tough competition, leading to a drop in his FIDE rankings. He was surpassed by Arjun Erigaisi for India's number one spot in June 2025.
Q: What is D Gukesh's goal for Indian chess?
Despite personal performance challenges, D Gukesh wants to host the World Chess Championship match in India. He believes it would be 'supercool' for the country's growing chess scene.
Q: How has D Gukesh performed in recent tournaments?
In March 2026, Gukesh finished at the bottom of a tournament in Prague. He also had a disappointing outing at Norway Chess in May 2025, losing to Fabiano Caruana.
Q: When did Gukesh become the youngest World Champion?
Gukesh secured the World Championship title as the youngest player ever, a landmark achievement in his chess career.
Q: What are the challenges of top-level classical chess?
The intensity and demands of classical chess are significant, with even top players like Magnus Carlsen expressing fatigue. Gukesh himself aims to continue participating in these demanding tournaments.