Watch: Carlsen, Gukesh share few emotions during handshake ahead of showdown in Croatia

Magnus Carlsen and D Gukesh have been meeting each other quite frequently this year, having been part of several tournaments this year including at the prestigious Norway Chess as well as in the first two legs of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. Carlsen has won Norway Chess as well as the Paris Grand Slam event. Gukesh, on the other hand, had been having a forgettable run since he had finished runner-up at Tata Steel Chess, struggling badly in the two Freestyle Chess events as well as at Superbet Classic Romania.

The 19-year-old, however, has brought his campaign back on track with an improved performance in Norway, where he finished third after collecting a historic triumph over Carlsen. And starting on Wednesday, the world No 1 and the reigning world champion will find themselves going face to face in a tournament that will not be played either in the Freestyle or in Classical format.

More from Chess

Carlsen reacts to Gukesh's 'shocking' struggle in Blitz leg of SuperUnited Croatia: 'Couldn't really have gone any worse' Carlsen denies seeing memes on outburst vs Gukesh, responds to Kasparov's 'heavier tables' jibe: ‘I don’t go around...’

Carlsen and Gukesh share few emotions in the briefest of greetings

Carlsen and Gukesh, after all, will be locking horns in quicker formats at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia in Zagreb starting Wednesday. And ahead of the tournament’s opening round, the official X handle of Grand Chess Tour shared a video in which Carlsen and Gukesh were spotted sharing a brief handshake with no words spoken, something of a prelude to their latest showdown,

Watch:

Magnus Carlsen was busy signing autographs when Gukesh quietly took the seat next to him, unnoticed. When Magnus turned around, he saw the World Champion and shook hands with him.🤝
We’re looking forward to seeing them face off in Zagreb, where they’ll play one rapid and two… pic.twitter.com/QLKh2O7qQy

— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) July 1, 2025

Carlsen and Gukesh will be facing each other in one rapid and two blitz games in the Croatian capital. This will be their first meeting since Gukesh pulled off a stunning upset over Carlsen in Round 6 of Norway Chess, which ended with the 34-year-old home favourite and defending champion slamming his fist on the table in a fit of rage after squandering the game from a strong position.

And the manner in which the video is doing the rounds ahead of the tournament serves to suggest that Carlsen vs Gukesh continues to be the central rivalry in the world of chess in 2025 – fuelled by the former’s unfiltered criticism that is directed towards the reigning world champion as well as fellow members of the Indian ‘Golden Generation’ – Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa.