Kasparov Hails Gukesh’s World Title but Says: Magnus Is Still the Strongest Player
In a major milestone for Indian chess, 17-year-old D Gukesh etched his name in history by becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, surpassing the record set by Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov in 1985. Gukesh clinched the title after defeating reigning world champion Ding Liren of China in a 14-game showdown held in Singapore last year. Though the win has been hailed around the world, Kasparov recently provided a balanced look at the achievement in highlighting how much the world of chess has evolved since his day.
At the Superbet Chess Classic in Bucharest, Romania, in an interview with the Saint Louis Chess Club, Kasparov said, “It’s a phenomenal accomplishment [Gukesh’s world championship win]. But I beat the strongest player in the world. Gukesh is in a different situation because Magnus [Carlsen] is there.”
Kasparov, who became world champion at 22 after defeating Anatoly Karpov, acknowledged that Gukesh’s triumph is historic but insisted that comparisons between the two reigns must be contextualized. He pointed out that Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian grandmaster who held the world title from 2013 to 2023 and remains the top-ranked player globally, continues to be regarded as the strongest player in the world.
“So yeah, Gukesh is the official world champion, there is no doubt about it, but there is somebody else who is widely considered, by all metrics, as a better player,” Kasparov said, referring to Carlsen, who has chosen to focus on a freestyle chess tour instead of participating in traditional FIDE-sanctioned championship cycles.
Carlsen’s announcement to step down as world champion in 2023 generated questions amongst the chess world overall, especially about the legitimacy and quality of the champions that came after him. FIDE still owns the official world title, but Carlsen’s overall rating and overall performance continues to make him the nominal world number 1 player.
Nevertheless, Kasparov’s praise for Gukesh was far from muted. The Russian grandmaster lauded the teenager’s maturity, resilience, and remarkable rise through the ranks. “He has plenty of room and plenty of time to improve. That’s a challenge I am sure he is dealing with,” Kasparov noted, adding that India’s new generation of chess stars, including Gukesh, are “Vishy’s children”—a tribute to five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who has mentored many of India’s emerging talents.
Reflecting on the championship match, Kasparov also commented on Ding Liren’s performance, acknowledging the toll the COVID-19 pandemic had on the Chinese grandmaster. “Ding at his best against Magnus… that would be a match! But then COVID ruined him. Ding after COVID was just a different player,” Kasparov explained. Despite psychological struggles, Kasparov praised Ding’s spunk in the match, remarking, “Ding fought heroically; he nearly saved the match.”Having said that, I believe it’s a justified result. Gukesh is a better player.”
Kasparov’s comments capture the subtleties at the pinnacle of chess, where success combines multiple factors, including talent, psychological toughness, timing, and consistency. While he stops short of putting Gukesh above Carlsen in the hierarchy of the greats, his recognition of Gukesh’s feat holds the heavyweight endorsement of one of the greats of the game.
As Gukesh continues his journey, the chess world awaits his next move. Whether that involves him playing Carlsen in a future match, whether freestyle or classical, remains to be seen. For now, Gukesh is the official World Champion, a product of India’s rapid ascent in world chess and that of a new generation forged from the legacies of Anand and respected by icons such as Kasparov.
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