Carlsen Questions Gukesh’s Rapid & Blitz Credentials Ahead of Grand Chess Clash.
Magnus Carlsen has reignited his rivalry with reigning world champion D. Gukesh by casting doubt on the 18-year-old’s ability to compete in faster time formats ahead of their much-anticipated showdown at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2025. At a pre-tournament press conference in Zagreb, the world No. 1 made a pointed remark, calling Gukesh “one of the presumably weaker players” in the elite lineup.
“I think Gukesh played quite well here last time,” Carlsen said. “But it remains to be proven that he’s one of the best players in this format. He hasn’t shown anything yet to suggest he’ll perform strongly in such a tough field. I’ll treat our game as if I’m facing one of the tournament’s weaker players.”
The comments add fuel to a growing rivalry that intensified last month when Gukesh defeated Carlsen in a dramatic classical game at Norway Chess. Carlsen, visibly frustrated by the loss, reacted by slamming the table—a viral moment that symbolized the shift in chess’s generational battle.
However, while Gukesh has already made history by becoming the youngest classical world champion, he remains largely untested in rapid and blitz formats—Carlsen’s long-time domain of dominance. The upcoming event, held from July 3–6 in Zagreb, will see them clash three times: once in rapid and twice in blitz.
For Gukesh, the tournament is an opportunity to silence doubters and show that his skill transcends time controls. Joining him is fellow Indian talent Praggnanandhaa R, the Bucharest leg winner, who is seen as a major threat this season.
Carlsen, brimming with confidence, named Alireza Firouzja as the only other standout contender. “If I’m in form, it’ll take something extraordinary to beat me,” he declared.
While Carlsen may still see himself as the gold standard, the tournament could be Gukesh’s chance to prove he belongs at the top across all formats. As former world champion Garry Kasparov aptly put it: “The moment you stop thinking about improving, it’s over.”
The stage is set in Zagreb—not just for brilliant chess, but for the next chapter in a rivalry that could define the future of the game.
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