rapid chess Archives - India Podcast

Gukesh Slips as Carlsen Leads Clutch Chess Showdown

Anil Vanna — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:18:57 +0000

Reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju had a tough day at the Clutch Chess Champions Showdown, slipping to the bottom of the standings without a win. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen surged ahead with four wins and two losses on the second day.

Gukesh, who started as the leader, suffered two defeats to Carlsen. Later, he drew both games with Hikaru Nakamura, missing a chance in a balanced rook endgame. He also lost to Fabiano Caruana, ending the day with a draw. The Indian star admitted he was “not happy” with his performance and aimed to bounce back stronger.

Carlsen, despite two losses to Caruana, now leads with 11.5 points, followed by Caruana with 10.5. Nakamura and Gukesh both trail behind with 7 points each. The event’s scoring system allows for strong comebacks, keeping the competition intense.

The Clutch Chess format, created by Maurice Ashley, rewards increasing points and cash prizes daily. The 18-game rapid event (10 minutes plus 5-second increment) concludes on Day 3, where victories carry triple rewards.

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Clutch Chess: Anand Loses on Time to Kasparov

Anil Vanna — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 08:32:58 +0000

On the second day of Clutch Chess: The Legends, Viswanathan Anand had a winning position against Garry Kasparov in the fifth game. However, Anand lost on time despite having over a minute left on his clock.

Kasparov dominated further when Anand blundered a piece on move 17. Kasparov now leads 8.5-3.5, with 12 points still available on the final day. The exhibition match celebrates the legacy of their 1995 World Chess Championship clash in New York City.

Created by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, Clutch Chess features a dynamic scoring system where point values increase each day. Day 1 wins are worth 1 point and USD 1,000, Day 2 wins 2 points and USD 2,000, and Day 3 wins 3 points and USD 3,000.

The winner of Clutch Chess: The Legends will take home USD 70,000, while the runner-up earns USD 50,000. The 12-game event uses Chess 960 format, drawing a new position each day to ensure unpredictability and excitement.

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Hikaru Nakamura Sparks Controversy Against Gukesh

Anil Vanna — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 11:29:37 +0000

Team USA defeated Team India 5-0 at the Checkmate: USA vs India event, with GM Hikaru Nakamura beating world champion Gukesh Dommaraju. After winning, Nakamura grabbed Gukesh’s king, tossed it into the crowd, and celebrated, sparking mixed reactions online. A video of the act quickly went viral.

FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky criticised Nakamura on X, calling the move disrespectful and unusual for a top player. Checkmate organisers responded sarcastically, claiming players were encouraged to entertain the crowd. Nakamura reacted to the post with laughing emojis. Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik labelled the act as “childish and tasteless.”

The match itself began with a balanced draw in a bishop endgame. In the five-minute game, Nakamura played aggressively with 1.b4, gaining early advantage but later falling behind. Both players faced severe time pressure, and Gukesh blundered into a mate-in-one, handing Team USA the decisive victory.

The incident reignited discussions on sportsmanship and player conduct in public events. While some defended Nakamura’s crowd engagement, many argued that gestures involving an opponent’s king were inappropriate. Chess fans worldwide debated the balance between entertainment and respect.

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