D Gukesh on combined run since turning into youngest world champion: ‘You possibly can’t win every part’

Gukesh Dommaraju has had a combined run since being
topped the youngest world champion in Singapore in December. The 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster was the runner-up on the Tata Metal Chess event in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands after
dropping to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa in tie-breaks. Gukesh, nevertheless, had a forgettable time in Weissenhaus, Germany the place he completed Eighth out of 10 opponents within the opening occasion of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour.

Reflecting on his efficiency since defeating Chinese language GM Ding Liren to turn out to be the youngest world champion within the historical past of the game, Gukesh admitted that he “can’t win every part”.

“You possibly can’t win every part. I’ll take a look at them objectively and see the place I can enhance,” Gukesh informed Sportstar.

Freestyle Chess ‘an fascinating format’, says Gukesh

Gukesh had entered the Freestyle Chess occasion on the Weissenhaus Personal Nature Luxurious Resort as one of many favourites given his standing as world champion.

The Chennai native, nevertheless,
didn’t win a single recreation all through the occasion – struggling a 0-2 loss towards Fabiano Caruana within the quarter-finals earlier than dropping his Fifth-Eighth classification matches towards Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja.

Gukesh had additionally misplaced to world No 1 Magnus Carlsen within the round-robin stage, dealing with the Norwegian GM for the primary time in any format since turning into world champion. Carlsen would later end third after dropping his semi-final assembly with eventual champion Vincent Keymer.

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When it got here to the Freestyle format, Gukesh described it as “fascinating” whereas wanting ahead to an improved efficiency within the second occasion – which takes place in Paris in April, the place he might be joined by compatriots Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi.

“It’s an fascinating format. I’m wanting ahead to taking part in the subsequent freestyle occasion in Paris from April 8 to fifteen,” Gukesh added.

Gukesh additionally appeared ahead to dealing with Carlsen within the Norway Chess occasion later this 12 months, through which the world No 3 might be dealing with the top-ranked participant within the Classical format for the primary time since their quarter-final assembly within the 2023 FIDE World Cup.

“It is going to be, little doubt, a fantastic studying expertise taking part in Magnus. I’m wanting ahead to taking part in my finest,” he added.