Zagreb, July 4 — India’s D Gukesh delivered another masterclass against world number one Magnus Carlsen, defeating the Norwegian in the rapid format at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz tournament on Thursday. This marks the 19-year-old Grandmaster’s second consecutive win over Carlsen in less than a month, following a memorable victory in classical play at the Norway Chess tournament.
The latest defeat prompted Carlsen to express deep frustration with his current form and relationship with the game. “Honestly, I am not enjoying playing chess at all right now,” he admitted during a post-match interview with Take Take Take. “I just don’t feel any flow at all when I’m playing. I’m constantly hesitating and it’s just really poor right now.”
Carlsen, who has previously questioned Gukesh’s strength in faster time formats, found himself resigning after 49 moves, having played the game with white pieces. The loss leaves him with just one win after six rounds in the ongoing event, while Gukesh sits alone at the top with five consecutive victories.
Reflecting on the game, Carlsen conceded that he allowed his winning position to slip. “I had a very, very nice position… He took his chance to open out his position with C6. After that, I got short of time and couldn’t really handle it. He found a lot of really good moves,” Carlsen said.
Despite his visible disappointment, Carlsen acknowledged Gukesh’s form. “He’s doing incredibly well now. It’s a long way to go in the tournament, but winning five games in a row is no mean feat.”
The defeat underscores Carlsen’s ongoing slump, even as Gukesh continues to rise as one of the most exciting young stars in global chess. The Indian prodigy is gaining momentum with each win, challenging the world’s elite and reshaping perceptions of the sport’s new order.
