Abdusattorov doubles down on Gukesh chess World title loss claim, refuses to call winner in potential showdown: 'Yes, for sure'

Uzbekistan chess prodigy Nodirbek Abdusattorov has refused to back down from his ‘unpopular opinion’ that India’s D Gukesh will lose the World Chess Championship 2026, but declined to predict the outcome of a possible title fight between himself and the Indian Grandmaster. The 20-year-old Abdusattorov created a massive uproar in the chess world recently after a FIDE video showed him predicting that world champion Gukesh is set to lose his crown next year.

Abdusattorov’s video, which was uploaded by FIDE a few days before the start of Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand, has since divided the chess world and also invited a cheeky dig from Gukesh himself.

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Nodirbek Abdusattorov takes dig at D Gukesh when asked to share unpopular chess opinion: 'Is that controversial?' D Gukesh hits back at Uzbek GM in style after prediction of world title loss: 'Here, he can only qualify for Candidates'

🔥 Nodirbek Abdusattorov shared his unpopular chess opinion... and it’s about Gukesh 👀
Both stars are set to clash at the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 — don’t miss it!

Full interview 🔗 https://t.co/ZWghK2UHQY

♟️ FIDE Grand Swiss 2025
📍 Samarkand 🇺🇿
🗓 September 4–15
📺 Live on… pic.twitter.com/Vpokhf2q0i

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) September 2, 2025

While few felt that the Uzbek GM was being unfair, the other side argued that Nodirbek only stated what is increasingly looking like the most likely result. The prediction of Gukesh losing his world title after the recent criticism from chess great Garry Kasparov has only added more fuel to the controversy.

Abdusattorov refuses to retract prediction of Gukesh’s  loss

Abdusattorov was asked about his controversial take once again on Thursday, after his opening win against Velimir Ivic in the first round of the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in Uzbekistan. Abdusattorov was first asked if he had seen the video that has gone viral. He replied with a simple ’no,’ before being asked if he still held the same opinion.

Abdusattorov was clear that nothing had changed for him as far as his belief that Gukesh would lose the world title. “Yes, for sure,” Abdusattorov said, throwing his weight behind his prediction.

This time, he was also asked to predict the result of a World Chess Championship between Gukesh and him, but Abdusattorov decided to stay in the present and not make any comments.

“I mean it’s too early to predict and answer this question. Once I qualify for the Candidates, we can talk about it,” he said.

The Uzbek Grandmaster, however, added that like any other top player, he also wishes to become the chess world champion one day.

“Every top player or strong player wants to become world champion one day, but I mean, you have to really give your best. For now, my goal is just to finish this tournament well and if I qualify, the answer will be different.”

Abdusattorov lost to Gukesh the last time they face each other at the Sinquefield Cup 2025.