 "The latest blitz defeat has raised questions over chess world champion D Gukesh. Image: PTI")
Chess world champion D Gukesh was sent a stern warning from legendary Susan Polgar after the Indian Grandmaster suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat to Jan-Krzysztof Duda at Katowice, Poland, on Thursday. In the exhibition six-game blitz playoff, Duda, who was Gukesh’s second during the World Chess Championship 2024 triumph, obliterated the 19-year-old India despite losing the first game.
Gukesh isn’t known for his play in the faster formats, but some of his mistakes during the blitz match raised serious questions for a player who holds the world champion crown. In Game 5, Gukesh and Duda shared an equal position before the former committed a blunder with 45. Kd1. By not playing Kf1, Gukesh allowed Duda to checkmate him with two rooks.
Reacting to the unexpected blunder from Gukesh under time pressure, the former Women’s World Chess Champion and Grandmaster Polgar tweeted that the Indian player’s weakness in rapid and blitz games could prove detrimental in his defense of the world crown in 2026.
Gukesh given stern warning after blitz defeat
Polgar pointed out that Gukesh needs a fresh approach while playing rapid and blitz gams, and cannot approach them in the same way as classical.
“This may potentially be a problem for him in his World Championship title defense," Polgar posted on X. “One cannot approach rapid and especially blitz the same way as Classical Chess. The approach and mindset have to be very different. He still has time to fix it but he has to learn to evaluate positions differently in faster time control. This is crucial because the current World Championship format includes rapid and blitz playoff. Complications = burning more valuable time on the clock.”
The World Chess Championship 2026 will include 14 classical games, but rapid and blitz games will be played in case the match ends in a draw.
Polgar also faced a rather interesting question on X when she was asked if Gukesh’s rapid title win at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz tournament in Zagreb, Croatia, was a “fluke.”
Polgar replied that Gukesh is a “capable” player, but he needs to change his mindset when it comes to faster formats.
“He is for sure capable. But he has to change his entire mindset. Otherwise, inconsistency will occur and that would be detrimental during a World Championship match.”