Magnus Carlsen has shared his thoughts on the young Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh. After losing to Gukesh during a round of the Norway Chess tournament, Carlsen offered a critical evaluation of Gukesh’s chances of achieving sustained dominance in the world of chess. He believes that, while Gukesh is immensely talented, he’s not yet at a stage to lead the chess world for an extended period.
In an interview, Carlsen was asked to name potential players who could emulate his era of dominance. Carlsen responded by stating that, as of now, there is no one who is clearly ahead. While praising Gukesh’s abilities, Carlsen noted that he is not far enough ahead of his peers to ensure a long reign at the top.
Carlsen, looking back at his own career, compared Gukesh’s development to his own around 2008-2009. He highlighted the importance of ‘fighting qualities’ in addition to positional skill. Carlsen stated that Gukesh is still maturing and developing the blend of skills needed to maintain long-term success. He believes that these young players have clear weaknesses, which is expected at their age. He also implied that true once-in-a-generation talents are rare for a reason.
While Gukesh did manage to defeat Carlsen in their match, he did not win the tournament. Carlsen ultimately clinched the Norway Chess title. His honest assessment offers valuable insights into the challenges of achieving and maintaining the highest level of chess mastery.