After Carlsen’s brutal suggestions, Gukesh admits he wants to enhance in Speedy, Blitz and Freestyle chess

Chess world champion D Gukesh has admitted he wants to enhance within the Speedy, Blitz and Freestyle codecs after world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen highlighted his weaknesses in a latest podcast. Gukesh grew to become the youngest-ever world champion at 18 when he defeated Ding Liren in a
14-game Classical World Chess Championship in December 2024.

Gukesh is presently ranked
world No.3 in FIDE Classical ranking however doesn’t get pleasure from the identical standing in Speedy and Blitz Rankings. He has an Elo ranking of 2787 in Classical chess, however his rankings in Speedy and Blitz are properly under 2700.

And it’s not simply the Speedy and Blitz codecs which has troubled Gukesh. Lately, the world champion
completed eighth within the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025 stage 1 after failing to win a single sport.

Lately, whereas showing on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Carlsen had mentioned that Gukesh was
“not good at fast chess, not good at blitz, he’s not good at different varieties. However he has made all his research about classical chess”.

Gukesh has now acknowledged that he’s a “great distance” from changing into one of the best on the earth regardless of profitable the World Chess Championship and wishes to enhance his performances within the quicker model of the video games.

“I’m honoured to win the world championship title however there’s a lengthy approach to go earlier than evaluating with Magnus,” Gukesh mentioned on the Trailblazers 3.0 sports activities conclave.

“It’s a constructive factor that I’ve gained this however there’s additionally somebody like Magnus to look as much as and set myself as a benchmark. Apart from that, I’ve to enhance in different codecs—fast, blitz, now freestyle has come up. When you don’t have anything to work on, you get bored. I’ve tons to look ahead to. Additionally, in classical, I’m World No 3… I feel. So nonetheless an extended approach to go.”

‘Pleased to be a part of this wonderful Indian group’

Gukesh additionally mirrored on the expansion of Indian chess, which has been blessed by among the world’s high gamers, together with Arjun Ergaisi and R Praggnanandhaa. Lately, Aravindh Chithambaram
gained the distinguished Prague Masters 2025.

The Grandmaster from Chennai mentioned that no nation can presently compete with India in the case of upcoming expertise.

“I don’t suppose there’s every other nation that has so many gamers on the high but in addition simply arising. US has plenty of wonderful gamers however they’re already well-established,” Gukesh mentioned.

“It’s actually wonderful to see how we’re pushing one another, rising collectively. This very wholesome rivalry we now have. Already we’re seeing plenty of Indians popping out on high in necessary tournaments like Olympiad, World Championship, Tata Metal Chess and so on. It’s actually thrilling for Indian chess and I’m actually comfortable to be a part of this wonderful group.”