In what is fast becoming one of the most gripping rivalries in modern chess, Indian teenager D Gukesh has once again outplayed former world champion Magnus Carlsen, this time in the rapid section of the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz 2025 in Zagreb, Croatia. The chess world is witnessing a generational shift, and Gukesh is leading the charge.
This latest win marks the second straight victory for Gukesh vs Magnus in less than a month, following his historic triumph in the classical format at Norway Chess 2025 — a moment that ended with Carlsen visibly shaken and famously slamming the table.
🧠 Gukesh Dominates Carlsen Again — This Time in Rapid
In the highly anticipated Gukesh vs Carlsen match at the Croatia Rapid and Blitz, the 19-year-old Indian grandmaster secured a commanding victory, forcing Carlsen to resign after 49 strategic moves. Not only did Gukesh dismantle Carlsen’s play with surgical precision, but he also remained calm and composed in a format long considered his weakness.
Carlsen, playing with the white pieces, looked to build a positional advantage but eventually found himself in a completely lost position. Post-match, the Norwegian admitted:
“I had one last chance to bail out to a drawish position, but I chose to keep playing. It was poor. All credit to Gukesh.”
💬 Magnus Carlsen Admits Struggles After Loss
Following his defeat, Carlsen didn’t mince words about his current form:
“Honestly, I am not enjoying playing chess at all right now. I don’t feel any flow. I’m constantly hesitating.”
Despite being regarded as the best rapid player of his generation, Magnus Carlsen is now facing serious challenges, not just on the board, but mentally. His remarks have raised eyebrows across the chess community, especially after previously calling Gukesh a “presumably weaker player in the tournament.”
🔥 Gukesh’s Performance in Croatia: A Statement of Intent
Gukesh’s performance in the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia 2025 has been nothing short of spectacular. After losing his first-round match to Jan-Krzysztof Duda, he bounced back by beating some of the tournament’s biggest names:
- ✅ Alireza Firouzja
- ✅ R Praggnanandhaa
- ✅ Nodirbek Abdusattorov
- ✅ Fabiano Caruana
- ✅ Magnus Carlsen
With five consecutive wins, Gukesh now leads the 10-player field with 10 points, ahead of Duda and Caruana.
🧾 Gukesh vs Magnus Carlsen: 2025 Record
| Event | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Norway Chess | Classical | Gukesh Wins |
| Croatia Rapid & Blitz | Rapid | Gukesh Wins |
| Croatia Rapid & Blitz | Blitz (TBD) | To Be Played |
Gukesh’s back-to-back victories over Carlsen in both classical and rapid formats are significant. They not only break stereotypes about his speed chess abilities but also signal a new world order in elite chess.
🎯 Magnus Carlsen vs Gukesh: From Contempt to Competition
Before the tournament, Carlsen had stated:
“Gukesh hasn’t done anything to prove he can handle rapid and blitz. I’ll treat games against him like I would against a weaker player.”
But Gukesh let his play do the talking, proving not only that he can handle the pressure of speed chess, but that he can beat the very best in the world — repeatedly.
Even Garry Kasparov, watching the match, remarked:
“This was not luck. Gukesh played brilliantly. This is a new level of chess dominance.”
🏁 Final Take: Gukesh Isn’t the Future — He’s the Present
At just 19 years of age, Gukesh D is proving to be the most exciting force in global chess. While many once saw him as a future contender, his consistent wins over Magnus Carlsen now place him among the elite. In both classical and rapid formats, Gukesh has shown that the chess world is no longer just watching for his rise — it’s witnessing his reign.
As fans gear up for the blitz rounds this weekend, all eyes will be on the next Gukesh vs Magnus clash. One thing is certain: the chess throne Carlsen once ruled unchallenged is now being seriously contested — and Gukesh is leading that revolution.
