Gukesh D dominates in Zagreb, clinches rapid title at Grand Chess Tour in Croatia

World Chess Champion D. Gukesh stamped his authority once again by winning the rapid section of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz tournament, part of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour. The 19-year-old Indian prodigy delivered a commanding performance, finishing with 14 points out of a possible 18, asserting his status as a top contender in the international arena.

Also Read:Gukesh stuns Carlsen again, leads SuperUnited Chess tournament

Despite a shaky start, losing his first-round game to Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Gukesh bounced back with remarkable resilience. He stitched together five straight victories, including a highlight win over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 4, showcasing precise calculation and confident play. The final round saw him defeat American GM Wesley So with clinical ease, wrapping up his campaign with six wins, two draws, and one loss.

On Day 3, Gukesh played solidly, drawing with Dutch GM Anish Giri and then playing a hard-fought 87-move marathon against Croatia’s Ivan Aric using the Marshall Gambit, both games ending in draws but demonstrating his endurance and strategic depth.

Carlsen’s push for the top spot faltered on the final day despite an early win over Fabiano Caruana, as a draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov kept him off Gukesh’s pace. Duda, consistent throughout, finished second, remaining the only player to defeat Gukesh in the event.

Fellow Indian R. Praggnanandhaa had a quieter tournament, scoring one win and seven draws for a total of nine points. However, he remains a strong overall contender after earlier successes in Bucharest and Warsaw.

The blitz segment begins Saturday and will conclude on July 6, with combined scores from both formats deciding the overall champion.