India’s Chess Juggernaut: The Gukesh Era and Beyond

India’s Chess Juggernaut: The Gukesh Era and Beyond

Over the past year, the landscape of international chess has dramatically shifted—and at the forefront of that change stands India. With D Gukesh Dommaraju emerging not just as a world-class talent but as the reigning World Champion, the Indian team has entered a new golden era. Let’s delve into the top stories shaping the scene as of mid‑2025.

1. Gukesh’s Norway Chess Breakthrough

In the 2025 edition of Norway Chess, the 19‑year‑old Gukesh captured global attention in spectacular fashion. After stumbling early—dropping his first two classical games—he orchestrated a stunning comeback. His round‑6 win against Magnus Carlsen was a career‑defining moment. Carlsen, visibly frustrated after a miscalculation, slammed his fist on the board—an image that spread rapidly across social media.

Gukesh later joked that he’s no stranger to banging tables either. “I’ve also banged a lot of tables in my career,” he said, smiling. The win was his first classical victory over Carlsen; more importantly, it sparked celebration back home, with congratulations pouring in from government officials, celebrities, and millions of fans.

2. His Latest Reflections

Back in Chennai, Gukesh sat down for an in-depth post-event interview. He reflected on the pressure of facing top-tier opposition, the difficulty of staying consistent across different time formats, and the importance of adapting to nerves during close games.

One of the standout quotes? “After move 40, even classical starts feeling like blitz.” That kind of insight into the pace and psychology of elite chess reminds us just how nuanced and exhausting the game can be at the highest level.

3. Team India’s Dominance at the Olympiad

Earlier this year, the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest marked another turning point. The Indian men’s team—featuring Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna—clinched gold for the first time in history. In the women’s section, India also secured a gold medal, cementing the country’s place as a true global superpower in chess.

Gukesh earned individual gold on Board 1 with a phenomenal 9/10 score. His win over China’s Wei Yi was hailed as the “Game of the Tournament,” showing brilliant preparation, nerves of steel, and fearless calculation. That single performance posted a 3056 performance rating—an extraordinary achievement by any measure.

4. India’s Trophy Cabinet Keeps Growing

Beyond team events, India’s top players continue to dominate individual tournaments. In the London Grand Rapid & Blitz, India took home the team title. Gukesh and Arjun both finished among the top five in blitz, while Harikrishna—who also serves as one of Gukesh’s coaches—proved that experience still matters on the world stage.

India’s top stars are now fixtures in elite tournaments like the Grand Chess Tour, the Champions Chess Tour, and the FIDE World Cup. And it’s not just about showing up—Indian players are regularly finishing on the podium and knocking out top‑10 regulars like Caruana, Firouzja, and Rapport.

5. Rivalries Within

What’s perhaps even more fascinating than India’s rise on the world stage is the fierce competition happening within the Indian team itself.

Just this month, Praggnanandhaa overtook Gukesh in the live FIDE ratings. That’s right—India’s World Champion is currently not the highest-rated player in his own country. Friendly as they are, the rivalry is real. They push each other, learn from one another, and create tension that brings the best out of both.

This healthy internal competition is part of what makes India so dangerous right now. There’s no single superstar—the bench is deep, young, and absolutely loaded with potential.

6. Global Respect and a Little Trash Talk

As India dominates, the rest of the world is definitely taking notice.

Fabiano Caruana, one of America’s top grandmasters, stirred a bit of controversy when he remarked that Gukesh and his peers were “not scary yet.” Depending on how you interpret it, it was either a subtle dig or an honest assessment. Either way, it caught attention.

The response from Indian fans and analysts was measured but confident: “Let the board do the talking.” And so far, India’s results are doing just that.

7. What’s Coming Next?

The chess calendar in the second half of 2025 is absolutely packed, and Indian players are everywhere you look.

• Grand Chess Tour Finals: Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun are all contenders in the rapid and blitz circuit, culminating in the finals this fall.

• FIDE World Cup 2025: With huge qualification points and bragging rights on the line, expect India to be a serious threat.

• Sinquefield Cup: The final classical event of the Grand Chess Tour, and a big chance for Indian players to close out the year with style.

While Gukesh may not need to play in the Candidates Tournament this cycle (since he’s World Champion), his rivals are still gunning for that chance to challenge him next year. It will be intense.

Final Thoughts

India’s chess revolution didn’t come overnight—it took decades of grassroots programs, government support, private sponsors, and role models like Viswanathan Anand. But now, with Gukesh at the helm, the wave has become a tsunami.

What’s most impressive isn’t just the trophies or the ratings. It’s the culture. Chess in India today is cool. It’s mainstream. Kids are studying opening theory alongside physics, and schools are hosting tournaments with as much energy as sports days.

And yet, despite all the pressure, Gukesh remains grounded. He’s soft-spoken, methodical, and quietly fierce. He wins not with trash talk, but with tenacity. His games are rich with calculation, and his mindset is built for champions. He’s human—he makes mistakes, he feels nerves—but he learns. Fast.

Make no mistake: this is India’s moment. And it’s only just begun.