Nihal Sarin commented on Gukesh Dommaraju’s recent performance in an interview with CNBC TV18. Sarin believes Gukesh needs to regain his confidence, and calls the World Champion a genius.

Nihal Sarin

Nihal Sarin

India's No. 4

“Gukesh simply needs to get his confidence back. I really hope he can do very well at the Olympiad. I think it will be quite important for him just to get his confidence back.

As they say, form is temporary, but class is permanent. Gukesh became World Champion only because he’s a genius, not because he’s bad.”

Reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju finished 8th/10th at the Sinquefield Cup 2025, 41st at the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, and was eliminated in the 3rd round of the FIDE World Cup 2025. In February he finished 9th at the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2026. In March he finished last at the Prague International Chess Festival. In the end of the May Gukesh finished last at the Norway Chess 2026, and in July he finished last at the Chennai Grand Masters 2026.

Gukesh Dommaraju won individual gold medal on board 1 at the Olympiad 2024. Gukesh is the only player to win both individual board 1 gold and team gold in the Open section of the Olympiad over the last 20 years.

The Chess Olympiad is a prestigious national team competition. The event is held every two years and organized by FIDE. The 2026 event will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 28.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess