Summary
- Gukesh lost five consecutive blitz games before Praggnanandhaa defeated him in the final round.
- Magnus Carlsen regained the tournament lead with a dominant 7.5/9 blitz performance.
- Gukesh’s rapid brilliance faded in blitz, placing him third behind Carlsen and Duda after nine rounds.
From Blitz to Blunder: Gukesh Falters After Rapid Domination
The SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Chess Tournament in Zagreb took a dramatic turn on Day 3 as Indian prodigy and world champion D Gukesh stumbled in the blitz section, ceding the lead to Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen. After a commanding performance in the rapid rounds, Gukesh appeared poised to hold off the competition. But a nightmarish streak of five consecutive losses in blitz erased his momentum.
Despite a spirited comeback in the eighth round, Gukesh’s final-round loss to fellow Indian GM R Praggnanandhaa sealed his drop in the standings. His total after nine blitz games stands at 15.5—two points adrift of Carlsen, who now tops the table with 17.5.
Gukesh had silenced critics earlier by beating Carlsen in the rapid rounds, but the blitz format exposed his inconsistencies. He’ll need a near-perfect performance in the remaining rounds to reclaim a shot at the title.
Gukesh beats Carlsen.
— REACH 🇮🇳 (UK) Chapter (@reachind_uk) July 4, 2025
The mountain of arrogance demolished once again. 👍👏#gukeshbeatscarlsen
If anyone in western world thinks that they are superior (racially) then let’s make it very clear #India & #Indians will not take your nonsense anymore!!
We know how to respond,… pic.twitter.com/qWpfkcdztQ
Carlsen’s Comeback: King of Blitz Strikes Again
- Scored 7.5 points in 9 blitz games on Day 3.
- Now leads with 17.5 points out of a possible 27.
- Repeated pattern from last year’s tournament with a late surge.
Magnus Carlsen, ever the tactician, bided his time across the rapid rounds but exploded back into form with a powerful blitz display. Winning seven and drawing one of his nine Day 3 matches, the Norwegian superstar reclaimed pole position and reminded critics why he remains the most formidable force in chess.
This isn’t new territory for Carlsen. In last year’s edition, he went on a nine-game blitz rampage to snatch the title on the final day. This year, with another 1.5-point lead over Poland’s Duda Jan-Krzysztof and Gukesh trailing further, the signs point toward another calculated Carlsen endgame—one where consistency over chaos rules the board.
Praggnanandhaa’s Late Surge and the Indian Battle
- Beat Gukesh in the final blitz round, finishing with 13.5 points.
- Rose to 5th place after a solid Day 3 performance.
- Indian rivalry highlighted the depth of talent from the country.
While Carlsen was scripting his comeback and Gukesh was struggling to stay afloat, R Praggnanandhaa quietly made waves. With 13.5 points, Praggnanandhaa now sits in fifth position, making him the second-highest-placed Indian in the tournament.
His victory over Gukesh in the final round wasn’t just a personal win—it symbolized the growing rivalry and camaraderie between India’s brightest chess minds. It also reinforced his reputation as one of the most versatile young talents in global chess, capable of adapting across formats.
In a tournament packed with elite names—Firouzja, Caruana, So, Giri—the young Indian duo’s performances continue to draw international admiration. But for now, Praggnanandhaa’s calm resilience in blitz has outshone Gukesh’s volatile run.
Race to the Crown: What’s at Stake on the Final Day
- Nine blitz rounds remain; 9 points up for grabs.
- Carlsen needs 6/9 to secure tournament win.
- Gukesh must outperform both Carlsen and Duda to mount a comeback.
With the leaderboard tightening and momentum tilting in Carlsen’s favor, the final day promises high drama. Carlsen is known for closing out tournaments with ruthless efficiency, and the 1.5-point cushion gives him tactical flexibility. If he scores just 6 out of the remaining 9 games, the title could be his again.
For Gukesh, however, the challenge is steeper. He not only has to bridge a two-point deficit with Carlsen but also fend off the steady challenge from Duda, who currently sits second with 16 points. Any more slip-ups could see him fall further down the rankings, despite his early brilliance in rapid.
Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa, Caruana, and Firouzja are all mathematically in contention to finish in the top three—making every remaining match critical.
Final Gambit: A Lesson in Formats, Pressure, and Composure
The SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Chess Tournament has become a masterclass in how momentum, pressure, and time control define modern chess. Gukesh’s rapid victories, including one over Carlsen, revealed his classical prowess. But the blitz meltdown showed that even world champions can unravel under speed and scrutiny.
Carlsen’s resurgence, meanwhile, exemplified veteran adaptability. Whether his ‘B-game’ is enough, as he cheekily claimed, or whether this is another calculated rise from the ashes, remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the throne is still firmly within his grasp.
For Indian chess, the tournament has offered mixed signals: a sobering reminder that the crown is earned in all formats—but also a bold statement that Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa are no longer just prodigies. They’re contenders.
