Gukesh (Elo 2,767) is in a slump, having lost two games in a row at Samarkand, first to Abhimanyu Mishra (2,611) and then to Nikolas Theodorou (2,646). The 19-year-old became the first world champion to lose two consecutive standard games against opponents rated over 100 points lower.

Gukesh (right) during his game against Theodorou in round six of the FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 9/9/2025. Photo: FIDE

Gukesh (right) during his game against Theodorou in round six of the FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 9/9/2025. Photo: FIDE

In round six of the 2025 Grand Swiss, Gukesh, playing white against Theodorou, held a significant time advantage during the opening and middlegame. However, in the endgame, the Indian player took risks seeking a win, ultimately making a mistake despite having over 31 minutes left on his clock. The Greek player, although short on time, managed to capitalize on the error and secure the victory.

Theodorou, 24, achieved his highest-ever Elo rating and broke into the world's top 100 for the first time. He has previously defeated top-five players like Fabiano Caruana and Arjun Erigaisi, and now adds the 19-year-old world champion to his list of conquests.

After the game, Gukesh rearranged his pieces and walked directly back to his hotel, muttering angrily to himself. While both Mishra and Theodorou are improving players, neither is as highly regarded as Gukesh. However, the world champion's risky playstyle led to defeats in both games.

The 2025 Grand Swiss will determine two qualifiers for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. These two losses do not significantly impact Gukesh's chances, as he has already secured a spot in the 2026 World Chess Championship as the reigning champion. However, the losses have cost him 8.6 Elo points since the start of the tournament, further distancing him from his next goal of becoming the world number one. The gap between Gukesh and Magnus Carlsen, who currently holds the top spot, is 81 Elo points.

Since becoming world champion at the end of 2024, Gukesh has played 47 standard games, with 13 wins, 23 draws, and 11 losses. He has dropped 19 Elo points since then, falling from third to sixth in the world rankings.

Gukesh's performance draws comparisons to the 17th world champion, Ding Liren. At the 2024 Norway Chess tournament, the Chinese player, also the reigning world champion at the time, suffered a streak of four consecutive losses against top players: Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, and Carlsen.

After round six of the 2025 Grand Swiss, Iranian player Parham Maghsoodloo leads the tournament with five points. Five players are tied for second place with 4.5 points: Mishra, Erigaisi, Matthias Bluebaum, Anish Giri, and Nihal Sarin. With three points, Gukesh is currently ranked 53rd.

Xuan Binh