Chess legend Judit Polgar feels that D Gukesh won't be able to successfully defend his World Championship title this year. Since becoming world champion in December 2024, Gukesh has failed to win a title and has been experiencing a huge dip in form this year.
D Gukesh will be defending his World Chess Championship title this year. (Lakshmi )
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The winner of the upcoming Candidates 2026 will decide the challenger to face Gukesh later this year. Polgar feels that the Candidates winner will defeat Gukesh to become the next world champion.
Speaking to The Indian Express, she said, "There is a very, very big question mark whether Gukesh can stay the world champion (at the end of this year)."
"I’m sure Gukesh has a great future, but I’m not sure he’s going to be world champion after the next world championship match. But it doesn’t mean he’s not going to regain it again if it happens."
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Polgar also feels that Gukesh defeated Ding Liren to become the youngest-ever world champion due to his mental strength. Analysing his performance against the Chinese GM, she pointed out that he didn't play 'so much better than' Liren, but his 'psychological and mental strength paid off'.
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Polgar also feels that Gukesh defeated Ding Liren to become the youngest-ever world champion due to his mental strength. Analysing his performance against the Chinese GM, she pointed out that he didn't play 'so much better than' Liren, but his 'psychological and mental strength paid off'.
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"Gukesh was able to stand the pressure better. He was ready to make mistakes, but bounce back from them. He was ready to concentrate and focus. Like in a safari, the jaguar comes and attacks when he’s hunting. So he was ready for this, that whenever Ding made a mistake, he was ready. This is what happened with rook to f2 in the final game", she said.
"At that world championship (in November-December 2024), Gukesh played well, but he did not play so much better than Ding at all. But psychological and mental (strength), I think it was a very important part of his preparation, and that paid off," she added.
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Gukesh was exposed at the Prague Masters, where he managed only a single victory. Since becoming world champion, the closest he came to winning a trophy was at the Tata Masters in Wijk aan Zee in 2025, where he lost to R Praggnanandhaa in the title-deciding tiebreaker round.
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.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Others/D Gukesh faces ‘very big question mark’ over World Chess Championship defence, says Judit Polgar
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