Gukesh Faces Setback Despite Victory Over Hikaru Nakamura

Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh experienced a mixed outing at the ongoing Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown, where his impressive win over American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura was overshadowed by a disappointing second day of play. Despite beginning the tournament on a high, the 19-year-old Indian prodigy slipped to joint last in the standings after suffering a series of defeats.

On Day 1, Gukesh registered a notable victory against Nakamura — a moment of redemption following their earlier encounter this year when the American made headlines for theatrically tossing Gukesh’s king after a loss. The young Indian’s calm and focused performance this time stood in sharp contrast, earning him widespread praise for both his composure and sportsmanship.

However, his momentum faltered on Day 2. Gukesh lost both his games to reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen and followed that with a loss and a draw against Fabiano Caruana. The poor run saw him finish the day tied at the bottom with Nakamura, both holding seven points. In contrast, Carlsen continued his dominant form, leading with 11.5 points, while Caruana trailed closely behind with 10.5.

Speaking after the matches, Gukesh admitted he was not at his sharpest, saying, “I was taking too much time on moves, which affected my rhythm.” The tournament, played under a 10-minute rapid format with a five-second increment, has been testing even the most seasoned players.

Analysts say Gukesh’s struggles reflect the fine margins at the elite level of modern chess, where time pressure and consistency often decide outcomes. Despite the setback, his early win over Nakamura showcased his growing maturity and resilience — qualities he will need to harness if he hopes to bounce back in the remaining rounds.