In a stunning turn of events at the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, reigning World Chess Champion D Gukesh suffered his second consecutive defeat, effectively knocking him out of contention for the prestigious title. The 19-year-old prodigy, who entered the tournament as one of the top seeds, lost to Greek Grandmaster Nikolas Theodorou in Round 6, a day after being upset by 16-year-old American GM Abhimanyu Mishra.
Gukesh’s back-to-back losses have left him with just 3 points after six rounds, placing him well behind the tournament leaders. With only five rounds remaining, even a perfect score may not be enough to secure the title, which is currently being led by Iran’s Parham Maghsoodloo with 5 points.
Theodorou Joins the “Chigorin Club”
Nikolas Theodorou’s win over Gukesh was not just a personal triumph—it earned him a symbolic place in what chess insiders jokingly refer to as the “Chigorin Club,” a nod to players who have defeated reigning world champions. “I didn’t know, but it feels good,” Theodorou said when informed of the distinction.
The match saw Gukesh playing with the white pieces and opting for a King’s Pawn opening, which transitioned into Petrov’s Defence. The game drifted into Marshall and Staunton lines before Gukesh surprised his opponent with an unusual 9.c5 move. Theodorou responded with principled play, navigating a tense middle game and eventually capitalizing on a miscalculation in the rook endgame.
Critical Moments and Tactical Missteps
The decisive moment came when Gukesh, believing he had forced a threefold repetition, stood up to call the arbiter. However, the claim backfired—it was only a twofold repetition. Theodorou used the extra time awarded due to the incorrect claim to recalibrate his strategy and eventually sealed the win after 47 moves.
| Round | Opponent | Result | Key Mistake | Current Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Abhimanyu Mishra (USA) | Loss | Overcomplication in endgame | 3 points |
| 6 | Nikolas Theodorou (GRE) | Loss | Incorrect threefold repetition claim | 3 points |
Gukesh’s Emotional Exit and Tournament Outlook
Following the defeat, Gukesh stormed out of the playing hall, visibly frustrated and exclaiming in disappointment. The pressure of defending his world title and the weight of expectations appear to have taken a toll on the young champion.
With Wednesday marked as a rest day, Gukesh will have a brief window to regroup and recalibrate his strategy. However, the road ahead is steep. He must win at least four of the remaining five rounds to stay in contention, and even that may not guarantee a podium finish.
| Required Wins | Remaining Rounds | Maximum Possible Points | Title Contention Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 5 | 8 | Unlikely |
| 5 out of 5 | 5 | 9 | Slim chance |
Indian Contingent: Mixed Fortunes
While Gukesh’s campaign faltered, other Indian players posted mixed results. Arjun Erigaisi held sole leader Parham Maghsoodloo to a draw, keeping himself within striking distance with 4.5 points. Nihal Sarin capitalized on a tactical oversight by Poland’s Szymon Gumularz to notch a win, while Vidit Gujrathi defeated Slovenia’s Anton Demchenko.
| Player | Round 6 Result | Total Points | Title Race Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arjun Erigaisi | Draw | 4.5 | In contention |
| Nihal Sarin | Win | 4.5 | In contention |
| Vidit Gujrathi | Win | 4 | Outside top 5 |
| R Praggnanandhaa | Draw | 3.5 | Needs strong finish |
Women’s Section: Vaishali Shines
In the women’s section, R Vaishali continued her impressive run, defeating Azerbaijan’s Ulviyya Fataliyeva to remain in joint lead with FIDE’s Kateryna Lagno. Vaishali’s aggressive play with the black pieces earned her a winning rook and pawns endgame, showcasing her growing dominance on the international stage.
| Player | Round 6 Result | Total Points | Leaderboard Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| R Vaishali | Win | 5 | Joint leader |
| Dronavalli Harika | Win | 3.5 | Mid-table |
| Vantika Agrawal | Win | 2.5 | Climbing |
| Divya Deshmukh | Draw | 2.5 | Needs momentum |
Expert Reactions and Analysis
Grandmaster Harshit Raja, speaking to ChessBase India, noted that Gukesh’s ambition may have clouded his judgment. “He wanted to play for a win, and things didn’t go his way. He could’ve pulled the brakes at certain points,” Raja said.
Chess analysts have pointed out that Gukesh’s aggressive style, while thrilling, may need recalibration in high-stakes tournaments. The pressure of being the youngest world champion in history has added layers of expectation that few teenagers have had to shoulder.
What Lies Ahead
With five rounds remaining, the Grand Swiss is still wide open for contenders like Maghsoodloo, Erigaisi, Sarin, and Giri. For Gukesh, the focus may now shift from title contention to damage control and psychological recovery.
The rest day offers a crucial pause for reflection. Whether Gukesh can bounce back and finish strong remains to be seen, but his resilience and talent are unquestionable. The chess world will be watching closely.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available tournament reports and player interviews. All match outcomes and standings are subject to official confirmation by FIDE and tournament organizers.
