‘D Gukesh became champion by accident’: Anatoly Karpov's explosive claim on Ding Liren's 2024 World Championship defeat

Anatoly Karpov was blunt when asked about D Gukesh's 2024 World Championship victory against Ding Liren in Singapore.

Updated on: Mar 20, 2026, 20:36:49 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Chess legend Anatoly Karpov called D Gukesh's World Championship victory against Ding Liren an 'accident'. Gukesh defeated Liren in Singapore in December 2024 to become the youngest-ever world chess champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov's 40-year-old record (he was 22) to win the title at 18 years and six months old.

Ding Liren made a huge endgame blunder in the decisive 14th game, handing the World Championship title to Gukesh. (PTI)

Karpov, who also clinched the world champion title when he was young. He nearly broke Mikhail Tal's record at the 1975 World Championship when reigning champion Bobby Fischer forfeited his title in controversial circumstances. As a result, Karpov became the champion at the age of 23 years, 10 months, and 11 days, five months short of Tal's record.

Also Read: D Gukesh's 2024 World Championship rival Ding Liren drops huge update after FIDE ratings exit: 'Enjoying my situation'

‘The Indian chess player became champion by accident’: Anatoly Karpov

In an interview with KP.RU, Karpov said, “No, firstly, the Indian chess player [Gukesh] became champion by accident, because he was not supposed to win the match against the Chinese [Ding Liren]”

“There, the Chinese player lost a game he shouldn't have lost. Then the Chinese player would have remained world champion.”

Karpov credited the Indian chess system for Gukesh's victory. "If we talk about the situation as a whole, how Gukesh became world champion, then this is the result of a serious state program for chess in India", he said.

“I don't know who suggested it to their leaders, but Indian chess players are already straddling international tournaments. The government supported them by buying or renting apartments for them, which they then gave to the players, who traveled from tournament to tournament, staying in these apartments to save money on travel and accommodation. And this produced results; many grandmasters emerged. And at some point, the organizers of chess tournaments in Europe even considered limiting the number of Indians participating in a single tournament.”

During the World Championship showdown in 2024, Liren was the favourite and looked set to clinch victory. But then a huge endgame blunder in the decisive 14th game handed the title to Gukesh.

Gukesh will defend his title this year and face the winner of the upcoming Candidates 2026 tournament. The Indian GM is in poor form and is predicted to lose his title.

The Candidates 2026 will take place in Cyprus between March 28 and April 16. The eight qualified players are 2024 FIDE Circuit winner Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri and Matthias Blubaum (top two 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss finishers), Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi and Andre Esipenko (top three 2025 World Cup finishers), R Praggnanandhaa (2025 FIDE Circuit winner), and Hikaru Nakamura (highest average rating between August 2025 and January 2026).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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