Anand Supports Gukesh Ahead of Norway Chess Showdown with Carlsen

Indian Chess Legend Backing Young Star

Viswanathan Anand, the Indian chess icon and five-time world champion, has expressed his support for D Gukesh as the young chess prodigy prepares to face Magnus Carlsen in the upcoming Norway Chess tournament. Anand anticipates an "exciting battle" when the reigning Classical world champion Gukesh squares off against the world No. 1, Carlsen, for the first time in a Classical format since Gukesh's title win.

Recent Performance and Challenges

D Gukesh, an 18-year-old chess talent, has experienced a difficult season in Freestyle Chess. He faced Carlsen in two events earlier this year but was unable to secure a victory in either match. Most recently, he competed in the Paris leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, where he finished 11th out of 12 participants. His campaign ended with a defeat against Richard Rapport in the playoff match, marking a challenging stretch for the promising player.

Despite these setbacks, Gukesh's track record in Classical chess remains impressive. Last year, he nearly clinched the Tata Steel Chess event but ultimately lost to R Praggnanandhaa in the tie-breaks.

Anand’s Insights on the Upcoming Match

In remarks made at an event organized by Norway Chess and the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM), Anand highlighted Gukesh's determination and motivation, stating, "Gukesh will not lack the motivation or determination to go after Magnus Carlsen." He also noted Carlsen's eagerness to compete against younger players, setting the stage for a compelling matchup.

Anand remarked, "I’ve seen him [Gukesh] in multiple tournaments; whether it’s Kolkata or the World Rapid Blitz, he eagerly looks forward to these match-ups and so we have the perfect storm. I think we have the right to expect some great battles."

The Norway Chess Tournament

The Norway Chess tournament is set to take place from May 26 to June 6, 2025, featuring an elite roster of competitors, including Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, and Wei Yi alongside Gukesh and Carlsen. The event promises to deliver high-stakes matches and showcase some of the best talents in the chess community.

As anticipation builds for this showdown, chess enthusiasts will be closely watching Gukesh as he prepares to make his mark against one of the greatest players in the game.