D Gukesh hits back at Uzbek GM in style after prediction of world title loss: 'Here, he can only qualify for Candidates'

World chess champion D Gukesh from India hit back at Nodirbek Abdusattorov in his own classy style after the Uzbek Grandmaster predicted that the 19-year-old is set to lose his world title in 2026. While discussing Abdusattorov’s prediction, Indian Grandmaster Gukesh pointed out that the Uzbek would first need to qualify for the World Chess Championship to win the world crown.

The 20-year-old Abdusattorov created controversy on Wednesday when, in an Ask Me Anything session with the FIDE social media team, he claimed that Gukesh would be losing the World Chess Championship 2026 when asked to give his unpopular opinion ahead of the home tournament, FIDE Grand Swiss 2025.

Gukesh gives it back to Abdusattorov 

Later in the day, during the pre-tournament media meet in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Gukesh took a cheeky dig at Abdusattorov as he reminded the chess world of his talent, but underlined that he is still to qualify for the FIDE Candidates 2026, which will eventually produce the world title challenger.

“I mean, first of all, obviously, Nodirbek Abdusattorov is a great player and he’s very much capable, but (at this) the tournament he can only qualify for the Candidates, so it’s one more step to become world champion,” Gukesh said.

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“But whoever it is like, I am sure you know deserves to be there and is very much capable of playing well. I am not really rooting for anybody, I just do my part as a researcher.”

GUKESH RESPONDS to Nodirbek's remark where he basically says "you haven't even reached the Candidates, first reach the Candidates and then we'll talk" in the politest way he could 👑 https://t.co/i27LBfxHQY pic.twitter.com/o1AntNUfeS

— Áz (@absurdistoic) September 3, 2025

The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, which gets underway on Thursday, offers two direct spots in the Candidates 2026. The winner of the Candidates 2026 will take on Gukesh in the World Chess Championship 2026. So far, only Fabiano Caruana has qualified for the eight-player Candidates tournament.

Why is Gukesh playing in FIDE Grand Swiss 2025?

Being the world champion, Gukesh is not in the race to qualify for the Candidates, but he is taking part in the tournament to “prove” himself.

“I’m happy to be back here in Samarkand. I was here in 2023 for the World Rapid and Blitz. It’s nice to be back here. Although there’s no need for me to qualify (for the Candidates), I think this is still a great tournament,” Gukesh said.

“There are not many super-strong open Swiss tournaments. It’s an opportunity for me to play in a different format and prove myself,” he added.

Other top Indian players taking part in the tournament are R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Divya Deshmukh.