Anatoly Karpov Claims D Gukesh's World Championship Victory Was an Accident Chess legend Anatoly Karpov described D Gukesh's 2024 World Championship win over Ding Liren as an "accident," suggesting the Indian prodigy was not destined to claim the title. Gukesh, who became the youngest-ever world chess champion at 18 years and six months, defeated Liren in Singapore in December 2024, surpassing Garry Kasparov's record for the youngest champion. Karpov, who himself won the title at 23 years, 10 months, and 11 days in 1975, argued that Liren’s loss in the decisive 14th game was a critical factor in Gukesh’s unexpected triumph. In an interview with KP.RU, Karpov stated, “The Indian chess player became champion by accident because he was not supposed to win the match against the Chinese [Ding Liren].” He emphasized that Liren, the favorite heading into the final, lost a game he should not have lost, which allowed Gukesh to secure the title. Karpov also credited India’s chess infrastructure for Gukesh’s success, noting the government’s support in providing housing for players to reduce travel costs and foster talent. He highlighted how Indian players had become dominant in international tournaments, prompting European organizers to consider limiting their participation. Karpov’s comments followed the 2024 World Championship, where Liren’s defeat in the 14th game—a critical endgame blunder—shifted the momentum in Gukesh’s favor. The 18-year-old’s victory marked a historic moment in chess history, but Karpov’s critique of the outcome suggests he views the result as an anomaly rather than a reflection of Gukesh’s skill. Gukesh is set to defend his title in 2026, facing the winner of the Candidates 2026 tournament.#anatoly_karpov #d_gukesh #ding_liren #kp_ru #candidates_2026
Gukesh Became World Champion by Chance, Says Chess Legend Anatoly Karpov Former world chess champion Anatoly Karpov has publicly questioned the legitimacy of D Gukesh’s recent world championship title, claiming the 19-year-old Indian player secured the crown through “accident.” In an interview with the Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, Karpov, who was celebrating his upcoming 75th birthday, suggested that Gukesh’s victory over Chinese player Ding Liren was not a result of skill but rather a series of errors. Karpov stated that Ding had lost a critical game that he should not have lost, which allowed Gukesh to claim the title. Karpov’s remarks echo similar criticisms from other prominent Russian figures in the chess world. Earlier this year, when Gukesh became the youngest world champion in history at age 18, former world champion Vladimir Kramnik expressed skepticism on his X account, writing, “No comment. Sad. End of chess as we know it.” Kramnik’s comments were widely interpreted as a dismissal of Gukesh’s credentials. Additionally, Andrei Filatov, president of the Chess Federation of Russia, accused Ding of intentionally losing the match to Gukesh and called for an investigation by FIDE, the sport’s governing body. The controversy surrounding Gukesh’s title has been further fueled by Kramnik’s public critiques of the quality of play during the world championship match. After Game 6 of the contest between Gukesh and Ding, Kramnik lamented the low level of chess, stating, “Frankly, I am very disappointed by today’s game. Even Game 5 was not extremely high level, but today it was really — for a professional — it was really weak play from both players.#anatoly_karpov #d_gukesh #ding_liren #komsomolskaya_pravda #vladimir_kramnik
