Chess World champion, but still a ‘youngster’: Inside Magnus Carlsen and Gukesh’s Doha face-off

World No 1 chess player Magnus Carlsen rejected the challenge to his supremacy in the sport by world champion D Gukesh of India by calling him a “youngster” as the two rivals faced off at the pre-tournament press conference for the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships in Doha on Thursday (25 December). Despite the 19-year-old Gukesh winning the World Chess Championship in 2024, Carlsen continues to be regarded as the best chess player going around.

The five-time world champion Carlsen also holds the No 1 ranking in all three major formats – Classical, Rapid and Blitz. Gukesh defeated Carlsen earlier this year for the first time in Classical chess in a dramatic fashion at Norway Chess, but the Indian Grandmaster continues to face questions over his inability to dominate the chess world as some of the most popular world champions have in the past.

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Carlsen aims to extend dominance at World Rapid & Blitz Championships

On Thursday, in Doha, Carlsen was quick to make his ambitions clear that he is returning to the FIDE event with only one aim – to win. The declaration from Carlsen came with Gukesh sitting right across the same table.

“I am here to win, as always,” Carlsen said. “I want to compete for the title, even though the competition will be fierce among all players.”

Gukesh was also asked about his ambitions. The Indian chess star has never won a FIDE World Rapid & Blitz titles, while Carlsen has won the rapid title on five occasions and the blitz trophy eight times.

“For me, playing well in any format is important,” Gukesh, whose strongest format is the Classical chess, said. I have been taking rapid and blitz a bit more seriously this year. That being said, I think rapid and blitz events have been slightly less of a priority than classical events for me.”

Carlsen says Gukesh is still a ‘youngster’

The most interesting part of the press conference came when Carlsen was asked if he still considers Gukesh, who is 16 years younger than the Norwegian, a youngster. Carlsen replied in the affirmative: “I think I was like a top-50 player at the very least in the world when he was born, so in my book definitely ‘yes’."

Carlsen also reflected on competing in his first world event since becoming a father earlier this year.

“I love being a husband, and a father. It’s been a fantastic experience this year. Neither my son or my wife are too much of a help, unfortunately in terms of chess advice yet. So, it (fatherhood) really hasn’t changed much and I’m here to win as always, doesn’t change," Carlsen joked.

🇳🇴 Magnus Carlsen on competing as a father!

♟ The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025
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Gukesh, meanwhile, added how playing in the recently-concluded Global Chess League 2025 has boosted his chances to do well in the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships.

“Everyone is looking forward to this participation with great anticipation,” Gukesh said. “I am used to facing many young players, and the competition will certainly be very tough.

“I had some good practice from the Global Chess League. I played a few rapid games against some very strong opponents. So, I’m happy to be here to play more rapid games. My strategy would be to just play fast, focus on each game, and make the most of it,” he said.

FIDE has announced €700,000 in prize money for the Open category of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships, which will be divided equally between the Rapid and Blitz tournaments.