Indian GM Srinath Narayanan discussed Gukesh Dommaraju’s performance and World Champion title. Narayanan states that Gukesh became Champion early, and notes that he needs to try to enjoy the game and not try hard.

Srinath Narayanan

Srinath Narayanan

Indian GM

“Gukesh has been struggling since a while. And he has been trying to figure out the answers. But I think he is just going through that phase of struggle, which happens at every level. And it just so happens that he became a World Champion quite early.

But he has to go through that phase of struggle and eventual growth. And I think that is what is happening through his career.

Gukesh will need time to find answers within himself and regain confidence in his decisions — to return to why he initially fell in love with chess and reconnect with that state where he plays simply for enjoyment.

He doesn’t need to try too hard — he just needs to relax.”

Indian GM Gukesh Dommaraju (2748) became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion in 2024. Gukesh defeated Chinese GM Ding Liren (2734 Inactive) with a score of 7.5-6.5 in the match. In March Gukesh finished last at the Prague International Chess Festival, held in the Czech Republic.

Credit: Lennart Ootes