World Chess Champion D. Gukesh delivered a masterclass in tactical poise and fighting spirit, claiming the rapid title at the Grand Chess Tour 2025 Rapid & Blitz in Zagreb on Friday. The 19‑year‑old Indian prodigy racked up 14 points from a possible 18, shrugging off an early loss to mount an authoritative surge to the summit.
After a first‑round stumble against Jan‑Krzysztof Duda, Gukesh responded with iron composure, reeling off five consecutive victories. His most resounding statement came in Round 4, where he demolished World No.1 Magnus Carlsen, a win that cemented his position at the top of the table and further burnished his growing stature in the sport.
Gukesh shines bright at the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia finishing the Rapid section in pole position with 14 points after a brilliant run of 6 wins 2 draws and just 1 loss. Praggnanandhaa holds steady with 9 points and is right in the chase at joint fourth. With 18 Blitz… pic.twitter.com/RFAqalCXY4
— Nitin Narang (@narangnitin) July 4, 2025
The final round saw Gukesh produce a poised 36‑move victory against Wesley So, converting a minor tactical oversight into a decisive advantage. The result brought his tally to six wins, two draws and one loss in the rapid section, a record unmatched in both aggression and control.
“This is the Gukesh we expected to see after he took the World Championship title. His games reflect maturity, depth, and courage,” a Grand Chess Tour official was quoted as saying.
Day 3 began with a quiet draw against Anish Giri, as the middlegame crystallised into a symmetrical deadlock. His next encounter, against Croatia’s Ivan Aric, was a prolonged affair, 87 moves deep, featuring the Marshall Gambit and showcasing Gukesh’s endurance in high‑level struggle. Though the game ended in a draw, it underlined his readiness to fight in every phase.
Also read: Gukesh topples Carlsen again
Carlsen, for his part, started strongly on the final day with a win over Fabiano Caruana, but a draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov left him unable to close the gap. Jan‑Krzysztof Duda, the only player to have defeated Gukesh in Zagreb, finished second after a steady run of results.
India’s R. Praggnanandhaa, fresh from a third‑place finish in Warsaw and a title win in Bucharest, had a quieter outing. He registered one win, against Aric, and seven draws, concluding with nine points. Despite the middling finish in Zagreb, the 18‑year‑old remains firmly in contention for the overall Tour standings.
The blitz section of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz leg begins on Saturday and will conclude on 6 July. Cumulative points from the rapid and blitz formats will decide the overall leg champion.
With two remaining stops, Saint Louis (August) and Rio de Janeiro (September–October), Gukesh’s imperious display in Zagreb could well mark the turning point of the 2025 circuit. His momentum, matched with technical sharpness and an unshakeable temperament, signals a formidable run ahead in what is fast becoming a defining year for Indian chess.