Magnus Carlsen Offers Measured Praise for Chess Prodigy Gukesh, Cites Need for Further Improvement

Magnus Carlsen, the world's top-rated chess player, has offered a candid assessment of reigning world champion D. Gukesh, following the first day of the SuperUnited Croatia Rapid & Blitz 2025.

Magnus Carlsen and D. Gukesh face off at Norway Chess 2025.

Gukesh, the 19-year-old Indian Grandmaster, is currently tied for the lead with Carlsen, Wesley So, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda.

In an interview with Take Take Take, Carlsen praised R. Praggnanandhaa while acknowledging Gukesh's progress. However, he stated that he is yet to be truly impressed by the young Indian chess prodigies.

"Pragg has done very, very well for a while now," Carlsen stated, highlighting Praggnanandhaa's impressive achievements. "I mean, he's won three classical super tournaments this year, which is extremely impressive. The other kids, they have their ups and downs."

Carlsen also commented on Alireza Firouzja's performance: "Normally, you would think in such a format, Alireza would be very strong. He probably has not had the best start, but I'm sure he'll be there."

Addressing Gukesh specifically, Carlsen said: "Gukesh is showing signs of improvement as well. It's very hard to say who's going to do well. But in terms of impressing me, well, that remains to be seen."

Carlsen also admitted feeling "a bit rusty" after the first round of the SuperUnited Croatia Rapid & Blitz 2025 tournament.

"I feel like it was a little bit shaky today, especially in time trouble. Of course, in the first game, nothing really happened. In the second, I managed to eke out a win somehow against Wesley," Carlsen explained.

He elaborated on his game against So, stating: "Didn't really feel that I had much at all. But then all of a sudden, I think he missed a little trick when I was able to keep the bishops on the board. And I think he got quite rattled after that."

Reflecting on his overall performance, Carlsen concluded: "In the last game, I didn't particularly mind the draw. But I also wanted to try. And I felt like I managed to get chances there out of nothing. I don't know if I had serious winning chances. Towards the end, I was really flirting with a loss as well. But yeah, overall, the score is all right. I'll take that. But it feels a bit rusty."