Gukesh’s New Pursuit: Learning Blitz and Rapid Chess
Under the direction of five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand at the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) in Chennai, reigning World Chess Champion D Gukesh is preparing for a rigorous training programme.
This cooperation is a direct reaction to a challenge presented by Magnus Carlsen, who doubted Gukesh’s prowess in faster chess variants—blitz and rapid.
Driven to prove himself, Gukesh will start specific training on March 17, 2025, concentrating on enhancing his fast decision-making abilities.
Under Anand’s mentoring, the youthful champion wants to get ready for the much awaited Norway Chess 2025 event, in which he will square Carlsen in a high-stakes match.
Youngest World Champion Overcomes Difficulties
Gukesh defeated China’s Ding Liren to become the youngest World Chess Champions at barely 18 years old, therefore making history in December 2024.
With this historic triumph, he confirmed his supremacy in classical chess. Gukesh understands, nevertheless, that he still has to hone his abilities in faster-paced games even if he excels in longer forms.
Speaking at the Trailblazers 3.0 conclave on March 8, 2025, Gukesh frank said that Carlsen has a major advantage over him in blitz and fast chess.
The teenage prodigy is leaving no detail overlooked to close the deficit and demonstrate his adaptability over all time controls as Norway Chess 2025 draws near.
Anand’s mentoring transforms Gukesh’s game-changer.
Renowned for his rapid chess skills, Viswanathan Anand will be instrumental in improving Gukesh’s technique.
WACA released a press release on March 15 stating that their official training start date is March 17.
Key skills that have made Carlsen a major force in fast and blitz forms—rapid decision-making, instinct-driven play, and handling high-stress events—will be stressed in the program.
Having twice won the World Rapid Championship (2003 and 2017), Anand offers a great abundance of expertise.
He intends to assist Gukesh mix intuitive play with his unique deep-calculating technique using his own stored games. Anand wants to provide Gukesh the skills she needs to shine in quicker formats by integrating these techniques.
Peter Svidler adds to Gukesh’s coaching team
Gukesh has also hired Russian Grandmaster Peter Svidler as a quick chess specialist in a calculated effort to improve his preparation.
Declared on March 12, 2025, Svidler’s inclusion offers insightful analysis given his vast quick chess expertise at highest levels.
Working with Anand, Svidler will help Gukesh modify ancient techniques to fit faster time limits.
This all-encompassing strategy seeks to guarantee Gukesh can manage the particular difficulties presented by fast and aggressive contests.
WACA: Intense Training and Simulations
Gukesh’s training plan will be demanding. Anand has created a 20-hour weekly program through April with an eye toward just blitz drills.
Using rotating sparring partners, these workouts will replicate the erratic nature of actual tournament situations.
A major turning point in Gukesh’s readiness will be a closed-door blitz simulation at WACA on March 20.
An exclusive leak to ChessBase India indicates that Gukesh lately scored 6.5/10 versus a carefully selected group of elite Indian grandmasters, which is encouraging as he improves his quick-fire decision-making.
Gukesh will also study important quick games from Anand’s best years to improve his pattern identification and accelerate, more natural answers. Against Carlsen’s aggressive and instinctive approach, this change from a calculating-heavy perspective to a more dynamic playing style will be very vital.
The Challenge of Carlsen Ignites Rivalry
Magnus Carlsen’s public challenge to Gukesh’s fast speed and brilliance had the chess community humming. Carlsen questioned if Gukesh could equal him in these speedier formats on March 10, 2025, on X (previously Twitter).
Carlsen said on a later visit on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast that although Gukesh had shown himself in classical chess, he was “not good” at blitz and fast compared to the best.
This audacious declaration has heightened the competition and generated excitement for their forthcoming encounter at Norway Chess 2025, set for May 26 to June 6.
Seeking Carlsen’s Fast Elo Rating
Gukesh wants to raise his fast Elo rating to reach Carlsen’s outstanding 2870, not only be competitive. This objective shows his will to develop into a well-rounded athlete competent of excelling in all disciplines.
Anand told The Hindu in a March 15 interview his faith in Gukesh’s development. Gukesh might meet the 2870 goal by mid-2025, he says, with constant effort and determination. Such a performance would make him a fierce competitor to Carlsen over all time limits.
The Highway to Norway Chess 2025
Gukesh’s road to becoming a top blitz and rapid player is well under progress. Anand’s mentoring, specialist coaching, and demanding training program help Svidler to be ready to meet Carlsen’s challenge directly.
Despite certain weaknesses in faster formats, his third-place finish at Norway Chess 2023 established his ability to play with the best.
Gukesh is resolved this time to silence his detractors and become a major player in blitz and rapid chess with a dedicated training program and a strengthened support network.
The chess community awaits the next phase in this exciting contest as the countdown to Norway Chess 2025 gets under way.
Under Anand’s direction, can Gukesh’s development be sufficient to challenge Carlsen’s supremacy in faster formats? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: an amazing struggle is set up.
