'Gukesh is really really good. I think he is by far best apart from Alireza': Magnus Carlsen

Indian chess sensation and Grandmaster D Gukesh is the best among the upcoming players alongside France’s Alireza Firouzja, world No.1 Magnus Carlsen has said. Carlsen, who is considered by many as the greatest chess player of all time, praised Gukesh on the sidelines of the Julius Baer Generation Cup 2024. Carlsen also shared his opinion on Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi of India who is close to reaching a historic 2800 points in ratings.

“It remains to be seen if Arjun is quite 2800 strength yet, but Gukesh is really really good. I think he is by far the best apart from Alireza,” Carlsen said.

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Both Gukesh and Erigaisi were the biggest performers for India as they won a historic gold medal at the recently concluded Chess Olympiad . The women’s team also won gold apart from the men’s team.

"It remains to be seen if Arjun is quite 2800 strength yet, but Gukesh is really really good. I think he is by far the best apart from Alireza." - Magnus Carlsen#ChessChamps https://t.co/Z8XfpXDzuW pic.twitter.com/XvDxVsbgXH

— chess24 (@chess24com) September 29, 2024

At the Chess Olympiad, Erigaisi won nine out of 11 matches and drew two, while Gukesh won eight out of 10 rounds. While 21-year-old Erigaisi momentarily climbed to the world No.3 spot during the Chess Olympiad, Gukesh won the individual gold on board one.

Gukesh also won the FIDE Candidates 2024 earlier this year, becoming the youngest to do so at the age of just 17. He will be taking on Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship later this year.

Read: Gukesh vs Liren Chess World Championship match be a walkover for the Indian?

While previewing that match for _Firstpost_ , Vidit Gujrathi, who was also part of India’s gold medal-winning team at the Chess Olympiad, said that he sees Liren suffering against Gukesh.

Liren has not won a classical match for over 300 days now.

“He (Liren) was not in good shape in the tournament, and he is not in good shape since he won the World Championship, he even publicly announced that mentally he was not in the right place. When I played him earlier this year, I could see him shivering when he’s playing. You know, I felt so bad when I saw that, like something is really off. I don’t know what it is, but something is really off. I can see him uncomfortable physically when he’s playing but he’s still a very strong player if he just comes back to his normal self,” Vidit said.

“It’s a pity, actually, honestly, as a human, I feel bad to see him in this condition, because if he’s at his peak, if he plays well, the World Championship will be a great match. But the way it is right now, I just see him suffering, which makes me sad. I hope he comes back and it’s a good fight. But I’m rooting for Gukesh there’s no doubt.”