Anand Supports Gukesh Ahead of Norway Chess Clash with Carlsen

Mumbai, India – Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand has expressed his confidence in D. Gukesh's potential to perform well against Magnus Carlsen in the upcoming Norway Chess tournament. This match is particularly significant as it will mark Gukesh's first encounter with the world number one in the Classical format since Gukesh was crowned world champion.

In recent events, Gukesh has faced challenges, particularly in the Freestyle Chess format. He suffered defeats against Carlsen in two previous matches this year, including a loss in the round-robin phase of the Grand Slam Tour event held in Paris. Gukesh finished the Paris leg with only one win out of four games and ended up at the bottom of the standings after being eliminated in the playoff match.

Despite these setbacks, Anand believes that Gukesh will approach the match with determination and motivation. “I expect a very exciting battle,” Anand stated during an event hosted by Norway Chess and the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai. He praised Gukesh's enthusiasm to compete against Carlsen, indicating that Gukesh would be highly motivated to prove himself.

Anand also noted that Carlsen thrives on challenges, particularly when playing against young, emerging talents. “We have the perfect storm. I think we have the right to expect some great battles,” he remarked, highlighting the anticipation surrounding the match-up.

It's important to note that Gukesh has had success in the Classical format in the past, including a strong performance at the Tata Steel Chess tournament earlier this year, where he narrowly lost to R Praggnanandhaa in the tie-breaks. The upcoming clash at Norway Chess, scheduled for May 26 to June 6, will see Gukesh competing alongside other elite players such as Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and Wei Yi.

The chess community eagerly awaits this showdown between Gukesh and Carlsen, as both players seek to make their mark in the tournament.