Gukesh Clinches Rapid Crown at Grand Chess Tour 2025 in Zagreb
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D. Gukesh delivered a sensational performance at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz leg of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour in Zagreb, finishing the rapid section with 14 out of 18 points to secure the title on July 4.
After opening with a loss to Jan‑Krzysztof Duda, the 19‑year‑old responded emphatically with five consecutive victories—including a brilliant Round 4 win over Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top-rated player—solidifying his grip on the leaderboard.
Gukesh’s performance saw two cautious draws: one against Anish Giri and another a lengthy battle versus Ivan Saric. He wrapped up the rapid section with a decisive final-round win over Wesley So, converting a material advantage in 36 moves to seal his rapid triumph.
Behind him, Duda secured second place with 11 points, remaining the sole player to beat Gukesh. Carlsen finished third with 10 points. India’s R. Praggnanandhaa scored 9 points, illustrating India’s rising chess dominance.
Entering the blitz phase (18 games ahead), Gukesh leads by three points—a substantial margin, though not insurmountable. ChessBase’s Carlos Colodro summed it up: “Gukesh Dommaraju takes a three‑point lead into the blitz section…after an impressive performance in the rapid phase”.
Beyond his chess prowess, Gukesh added a lighthearted touch post-match: he jokingly apologized for initially forgetting to give his cousin a promised shoutout after beating Carlsen—a promise he made after his cousin predicted the upset win.
With momentum on his side, Gukesh enters the blitz showdown aiming to convert his lead into an overall Grand Chess Tour victory. His dominance in Zagreb not only cements his status among the elite but also marks a watershed moment for Indian chess on the world stage.
