Ian Nepomniachtchi

Russian GM

“I wouldn’t say that Gukesh is playing at his full strength, but he’s not as stable as he was when it was needed. Back then, when it was necessary, he played steadily, avoiding the worst positions. This time he’s actually letting his emotions show.

I like that he loses in different ways. He really has variety. All my unsuccessful games more or less follow the same script. But with Gukesh it’s not like that: he can blunder in one move — like against Abdusattorov, he can just play terribly from the first move — like in the ninth round against Bluebaum.

I just didn’t understand what he wanted. He played most of the game practically without a bishop. There was also a game where all his pieces were stuck on the eighth rank — with Pragg. Gukesh is a universal player!”