“I Will Play More Classical Tournaments Now,” Says Gukesh

Bhubaneswar: Gukesh has confirmed plans to increase participation in classical (standard time-control) tournaments across the upcoming Grand Chess Tour, aligning with a strategic pivot in his approach to elite competition.

Background: Gukesh’s New Strategic Focus

At age 19, reigning World Champion D. Gukesh Dommaraju has announced a clear shift in his competitive priorities, saying: “I will play in more classical tournaments now.” This marks a significant departure from his recent emphasis on rapid, blitz, and Freestyle tournaments.

Why the Shift?

1. Classical Chess as the Gold Standard

Gukesh acknowledged that classical chess remains the ultimate benchmark for elite skill, especially for validating his World Champion status. Participation in long-form events strengthens his credentials and standings in the FIDE Circuit.

2. Recent Success Boosts Confidence

At Norway Chess 2025, Gukesh scored his first-ever classical win over Magnus Carlsen, an emotional breakthrough that propelled him to a third-place finish in the event. Carlsen’s visible frustration, including moments of table-slamming, underscored the intensity of the match.

A Look at Recent Milestones

Norway Chess 2025
In Round 6, Gukesh capitalized on Carlsen’s late-game errors to deliver a stunning comeback victory—his inaugural classical win over the former world No. 1. The result was dubbed by commentators as the “turnaround of the year”, launching Gukesh into third place overall.

Tata Steel Chess 2025 (Wijk aan Zee)
Early in 2025, Gukesh brought dramatic flair to his opening rounds, nearly losing again to a strong opponent before mounting a recovery that highlighted his resilience under pressure.

What’s Next?

Gukesh is set to compete in the 2025 Grand Chess Tour, which features two classical events and three rapid/blitz stages, leading to the GCT Finals in São Paulo from September 26 to October 4. The tour spans six events across Poland, Romania, Croatia, the U.S., and Brazil, with a total prize pool of $1.6 million.

Why This Matters

Long-term ambition: Gukesh’s increased classical schedule aligns with ambitions to defend his championship and secure a spot in the Candidates Tournament 2026.

Sporting legacy: Anchoring his reputation in classical chess places him on a trajectory similar to legends like Garry Kasparov or Magnus Carlsen.

Strategic balance: Transitioning from freestyle and rapid events back to classical play allows Gukesh to harness the full breadth of his strategic vision.

Latest Update: 

Gukesh reaffirmed his ambitions to focus heavily on classical chess, citing increased preparation and invitations to prestigious long-form tournaments. His standout performances at Norway Chess and Tata Steel have provided early returns on this new direction. As he prepares for the upcoming legs of the Grand Chess Tour—including Sinquefield Cup and the São Paulo Finals—his renewed classical focus appears to be both intentional and timely.

Gukesh’s pivot from fast-time formats to classical chess marks a turning point in his professional journey. The chess world will be watching as he seeks to consolidate his reign through endurance, precision, and traditional chess mastery.

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