As the global chess scene shifts rapidly towards faster formats and the growing popularity of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, reigning world champion D Gukesh remains firmly rooted in his commitment to Classical chess. The 19-year-old from Chennai, who claimed the World Chess Championship crown earlier this year by defeating China’s Ding Liren in the Classical format, is now setting his sights on playing more Classical tournaments in the latter half of 2025.
Currently ranked world No.6, Gukesh stands out among his peers for staying loyal to the traditional format, even as many of his fellow Indian prodigies begin to lean towards speedier versions of the game. Notably, world No.4 R Praggnanandhaa, also from Chennai, made headlines recently by defeating world No.1 Magnus Carlsen during the Freestyle Chess Las Vegas Tour. After his triumph, the 19-year-old openly admitted his growing affection for the variant, stating, “I now like Freestyle more than Classical.”
Another rising Indian star, Arjun Erigaisi, who holds the world No.5 spot, has also been making waves in quicker formats. He reached the semi-finals of the Blitz-format chess event at the Esports World Cup 2025, showcasing his versatility and comfort in the fast-paced landscape of modern chess.
For Gukesh, the first half of 2025 saw relatively limited participation in Classical tournaments, largely due to his engagements in Freestyle and other hybrid formats. However, his few appearances were noteworthy. In January, he shared the top spot at the prestigious Tata Steel Chess 2025 before finishing second on tiebreaks, behind Praggnanandhaa. At the Norway Chess 2025 tournament, Gukesh celebrated a career milestone by registering his maiden Classical victory over Carlsen, eventually finishing third overall.
Despite venturing into quicker formats himself – including a title-winning Rapid performance at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz event in Zagreb – Gukesh is candid about the areas he needs to work on. In Blitz, for instance, he struggled with consistency, losing five straight games at the same Zagreb tournament.
Speaking to The Hindu, the teenager admitted his preference and renewed focus for Classical play going forward.
“My last Classical tournament was in Norway (May 26 to June 6), and it was a decent outing,” Gukesh noted. “Before that, I played Tata Steel in January, where I tied for first. I haven’t played too many Classical events this year, but I’m planning to play more in the second half. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Reflecting on his recent Rapid and Blitz performances, Gukesh said, “In Zagreb, I did well in Rapid, but I need to fix a few issues in Blitz. I feel I’m getting better with time.”
The next stop on Gukesh’s calendar is the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament, scheduled from August 11 to 15, followed by the Classical-format Sinquefield Cup from August 18 to 28. Both events will be held in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA – offering him another shot at honing his skills across both formats before he gears up to defend his world title in 2026.
