Gukesh Dommaraju’s coach, Grzegorz Gajewski, shared his opinion on criticism toward the World Champion. Gajewski says Gukesh has no goal to meet other’s expectations, and believes Dommaraju has improved at Norway Chess 2026.

Gukesh Dommaraju

Gukesh Dommaraju

Reigning World Champion

“I don’t think meeting the expectations of former World Champions is Gukesh’s main goal.

The way he has been performing here, there is optimism. It’s not perfect, obviously, it’s not matching our ambitions but it’s better. There’s an improvement.

He had a couple of good games in Tata Steel and that was it. Rest of the tournament was bad. Prague was also bad. Here it’s not like he has played great chess, it’s normal.

It’s not been his A game for sure, but it’s easy to perform well when it’s your A game. For me, the important thing is for him to keep his level regardless.”

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 Gukesh finished 9th at the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2026. In March Gukesh Dommaraju (2732) finished last at the Prague International Chess Festival.

The Norway Chess 2026 takes place from May 25 to June 5, at the Deichman Bjorvika public library, Oslo. Gukesh Dommaraju is in last place with 8/24 points after eight rounds.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess