The transition from challenger to world champion is arguably the most dramatic shift in elite sports. For D. Gukesh, who made history as the youngest-ever World Chess Champion at the close of 2024, the subsequent year of 2025 became a jarring proof of this axiom. After the monumental high of achieving chess’s ultimate prize, Gukesh entered a difficult stretch, prompting widespread debate over his champion status. His coach, Grzegorz Gajewski, however, views 2025 not as a failure, but as a necessary phase of recalibration before the critical 2026 title defense.
The Weight of the Crown: A Necessary Inconsistency
In 2025, Gukesh’s performance portfolio became a study in contradiction. While he secured major wins, including classical and rapid victories over the formidable Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess and Grand Chess Tour events, the key marquee tournaments delivered crushing results. Most notably, a third-round exit from the FIDE World Cup and a deeply disappointing 41st-place finish at the FIDE Grand Swiss highlighted a vulnerability that elite competitors swiftly exploited.
Adding to the complexity was Gukesh’s apparent struggle with faster time controls—a weakness exposed during the Freestyle Chess Tour. In the hyper-competitive environment of modern chess, inconsistency, particularly in major events, provides immediate ammunition for critics, regardless of age.
“When you work all your life for something, and then you get it, you have to find new motivations, it can be difficult for someone so young.”
Gajewski attributes this turbulence to two main factors: the inherent inconsistencies of a teenager competing at the highest level, and the psychological hurdle of finding a new summit after conquering the first. When a lifelong goal is achieved, the required “reset” of motivation is profound. Yet, the wider chess community—accustomed to the seemingly flawless dominance of champions like Kasparov and Carlsen—is unwilling to grant concessions for youth.
The Politics of Perfection: Challenging Legitimacy
The scrutiny Gukesh faces is unprecedented, fueled by commentary from chess titans. Garry Kasparov, the former World Champion, openly suggested that the crown “doesn’t feel the same” resting on Gukesh`s head as it did on previous champions. The implication is clear: simply winning the title is insufficient; the champion must also embody perfect dominance across all formats and time controls. This environment places Gukesh in a difficult, and perhaps unfair, spotlight.
Gajewski’s response to these doubts is technically precise and logically sound: Gukesh is the champion because he followed the rules and won the process. The narrative that a champion must be instantly perfect is an expectation built on historical anomalies, not sporting reality. However, this technical truth does little to quell the external noise.
Gukesh himself has maintained a realistic outlook, acknowledging upon winning the title that he was not yet the “best player in the world”—a status he openly strives for. The results of 2025 suggest he may have drifted further from that status, yet they have provided invaluable diagnostic data for his team.
The Technical Roadmap for 2026
The primary strategic takeaway from 2025 revolves around scheduling and focus. Gukesh’s calendar this year included a demanding mix of formats: the Freestyle Chess Tour, the Grand Chess Tour, major classical events (Tata Steel, Norway Chess), and high-profile exhibitions (like the Clutch Chess event). While playing against the world’s elite—Carlsen, Nakamura, Caruana—offers unparalleled chess education, Gajewski recognizes the critical balance between opportunity and overload.
For 2026, the strategy shifts toward selectivity. Gukesh’s team is committed to a more measured approach, prioritizing preparation and rest. The objective is clear: dedicate maximum energy and focus to Classical Chess, the bedrock of the World Championship defense. This commitment will persist even as Gukesh continues to engage in key rapid and blitz events, such as the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Doha, to refine his skills in those crucial time controls.
The “faults” leading to tournament losses this year, according to Gajewski, are known and identifiable. While the specifics remain confidential—an understandable operational secrecy given the looming title defense—the core adjustment is managing tournament workload and ensuring Gukesh enters high-stakes classical matches with peak psychological and technical conditioning.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Test of Legitimacy
The 2026 World Championship defense represents the ultimate opportunity for Gukesh Dommaraju. A successful defense would not merely retain the title; it would permanently validate his position and effectively nullify the sophisticated critiques leveled by former champions and the press throughout 2025. It is illogical to question the legitimacy of a back-to-back world champion.
Gajewski and Gukesh have navigated the rigorous path to the crown once. Their commitment to doing so again, armed with the harsh lessons of a difficult transitional year, sets the stage for a compelling 2026. The goal remains what it was in 2024: proving that Gukesh is not just a champion by title, but the world`s finest player by performance.
Dominic Ashworth