Former world champion Anatoly Karpov has claimed that India's D. Gukesh won the classical chess world title 'by chance' against China's Ding Liren. The remarks echo skepticism from other Russian ex-champions like Vladimir Kramnik, following Gukesh's historic 2024 victory where he became the youngest champion ever at age 18. Gukesh faces a title defense later this year amid a recent form slump.
Anatoly Karpov, world champion from 1975 to 1985, told Russian outlet KP.RU: “First of all, the Indian chess player became champion by chance, because he wasn’t supposed to win the match against the Chinese player (Ding Liren). The Chinese player lost a game that he shouldn’t have lost. Had he not, the Chinese player would have remained the world champion.”
Kramnik echoed this sentiment on social media after the match: “No comment. Sad. End of chess as we know it.”
Gukesh responded humbly to his triumph: “Winning the World Chess Championship does not mean I am the best player; obviously that is Magnus Carlsen. I want to reach the level Magnus has achieved.” He added interest in a potential title match: “Obviously, playing against Magnus in the World Championship would be amazing. It would be the toughest challenge there is in chess.”
Carlsen distanced himself from the title cycle—“I am not part of this circus any more”—while praising Gukesh: “It’s an incredible achievement.”
Ding Liren has embraced a relaxed post-loss phase: “I quite enjoy my current situation,” he said recently, citing his inactive rating and preference for casual online play without intense preparation.
Gukesh must sharpen his form ahead of his title defense later this year.