Gukesh’s Machine-Like Resilience Wows Garry Kasparov After Win Over Carlsen
In a thrilling round at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2025 tournament in Zagreb, Indian chess sensation D Gukesh left a lasting impression—not just on the board, but on legendary world champion Garry Kasparov, who couldn’t help but draw comparisons between Gukesh and a computer.
Commentating on the match where Gukesh outplayed Magnus Carlsen, Kasparov lauded the young Grandmaster’s resilience and precision, likening it to that of a machine. Notably, this admiration came even before Gukesh sealed his win over the World No. 1.
“He’s extremely tough to beat. It’s like playing against a computer—you need to beat him multiple times in a single game,” said Kasparov. “He has many lives. His resilience is extraordinary, reminding me of machines. Even Carlsen has his strengths, but in terms of resilience, Gukesh is unmatched.”
The praise came as Gukesh bounced back from a poor start, where he lost his opening game against Jan-Krzysztof Duda. What followed was a stunning comeback—defeating Alireza Firouzja, Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Fabiano Caruana, all before toppling Carlsen. Each of these players ranks among the best in the world, making Gukesh’s streak even more impressive.
Kasparov pointed out the sheer difficulty of winning four straight rapid games at such a high level: “He had a miserable start but then beat four elite players in a row. That too in rapid format! He’s made mistakes, but his performance overall has been exceptional.”
Gukesh, often thought to be more suited to classical formats due to his methodical approach, has silenced critics in Zagreb. Not only has he handled the tactical demands of rapid chess, but he has also managed the clock better than seasoned players like Caruana and Carlsen, often entering endgames with a time advantage.
With such performances, the 18-year-old continues to rise rapidly in the chess world, and if Kasparov’s words are anything to go by, Gukesh may very well be the next unstoppable force on the global chess stage.
