Amit Kamath

Srinath Narayanan: “Gukesh is like Rocky Balboa right now” 🥊 Indian coach Srinath Narayanan says Gukesh’s recent struggles are completely natural, not a concern. Becoming World Champion so young almost guarantees a tough phase after. At 19, Gukesh is now in a period of searching, learning, and rebuilding - something many great players go through after early success. Narayanan compares him to Rocky Balboa: a champion who faced setbacks, reset, and came back stronger. His advice? Reconnect with the joy of chess and play freely, even if that’s the hardest part. With a title defense ahead, this phase could define Gukesh’s comeback.

Judit Polgár on World Champion D Gukesh In an interview with The Indian Express, chess legend Judit Polgár said there is a “very big question mark” over whether 🇮🇳 D Gukesh will still hold the World Championship title by the end of the year. Polgár praised Gukesh’s remarkable achievement in becoming World Champion at such a young age, highlighting his mental strength and ability to handle pressure during the match. However, she also noted that 🇨🇳 Ding Liren was facing visible psychological struggles during the title match. According to Polgár, everything changes once a player becomes World Champion, expectations rise, and the entire chess world begins to judge you differently. She added that for Gukesh to remain at the top, he will need to continue improving both his chess and his psychological preparation to deal with pressure and global expectations.