After a poor performance in a freestyle chess event, D Gukesh, India’s emerging chess prodigy and recent World Chess Champion, is under unaccustomed scrutiny. Although his classical chess abilities are clear-cut, several fans and experts have questioned his general supremacy based on his poor performance in the less conventional freestyle style. This argument has generated a tempest in the chess community since ideas on whether freestyle chess should compromise a player’s world championship status are split. The circumstances has sparked new debates on whether performance in one style should represent a player’s legacy and how several chess forms should be appreciated.
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D Gukesh’s Challenges in Freestyle Chess and Shorter Time Format Explained
D Gukesh, India’s number one chess player and the reigning world champion in classical chess, has yet to replicate his success in shorter time formats like freestyle chess. While his strategic depth and precision make him formidable in classical games, he struggles in rapid and blitz formats, where quick decision-making and adaptability are crucial. Despite his classical dominance, he ranks only ninth in India in blitz with a rating of 2617. At just 18, Gukesh is still developing the experience and reflexes required for freestyle chess, which features unpredictable starting positions. This article explores why Gukesh faces challenges in these formats and his journey toward mastering them.