Gukesh Stuns Carlsen Again, This Time in Rapid Format at SuperUnited Blitz 2025

Last Updated Jul - 05 - 2025, 06:25 PM | Source : Fela News

Gukesh defeats Magnus Carlsen again, this time in rapid format at SuperUnited Blitz 2025 in Zagreb. Carlsen admits poor form and praises Gukesh’s stellar perfor

Gukesh Stuns Carlsen Again

On Thursday night, Magnus Carlsen faced another challenge against the young world champion Gukesh. The Norwegian world number one suffered his second consecutive defeat to the Indian prodigy, this time in a rapid game at the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz tournament held in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2025.

Playing with the white pieces, Carlsen began strong and appeared to have the upper hand early on, building a substantial advantage by the 20th move. However, the game gradually slipped from his grasp, and after 49 moves, he was forced to resign. The result follows his dramatic loss to Gukesh in classical format at Norway Chess, which had made headlines not just for the outcome but also for Carlsen’s visible frustration.

Speaking to the media after the match, Carlsen admitted, “Gukesh is doing incredibly well at this tournament. Winning five games in a row is no mean feat.” His tone, however, was in stark contrast to comments made just days earlier, when he had downplayed Gukesh’s rapid and blitz credentials, even describing the matchups against him as those against a “presumably weaker player.”

“Gukesh hasn’t done anything to indicate that he is going to do well (in rapid and blitz)” Carlsen had remarked at the tournament’s start, adding, “Players like Gukesh have a lot to prove.”

After Thursday’s loss, Carlsen conceded that he had failed to capitalise on a promising position. “It was poor from me, but all credit to Gukesh. He is playing well and taking his chances. I have played poorly the whole tournament and this time I got soundly punished.”

Reflecting more broadly on his form, Carlsen was brutally sincere: “Honestly, I am not enjoying playing chess at all right now… I don’t feel any flow. I’m constantly hesitating. It’s just really poor right now.”

As the tournament continues, Gukesh’s winning streak and Carlsen’s candid frustration add an unexpected narrative twist that few saw coming.