'If Gukesh keeps playing like...': Russian GM takes dig at world champion ahead of title defence against Sindarov

Reigning world champion D Gukesh will be defending his title against Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov later this year following the latter's dominant victory at the Fide Candidates in Cyprus last month. And given their form over the last one year, Sindarov is being heavily tipped to defeat Gukesh in their World Championship face-off that will be taking place towards the end of the year.

Also Read | FIDE opens bidding for Gukesh vs Sindarov World Championship match; provisional dates revealed

Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi, a two-time challenger for the world title, has gone to the extent of stating that Gukesh's opponent doesn't really matter, and that "anyone would be the favourite" against him if he continues to play the way he has over the last one year.

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"As for let’s say middle of April, of course Sindarov. But it’s May already and the match will be like in half a year or so. So we cannot really… I mean it’s easy to speculate, but I think time will show," Nepomniachtchi said in a chat with Fide.

"But probably if Gukesh keeps playing like he used to play like last year, then it’s not so important who’s playing against him. I think anyone would be the favourite," added the 35-year-old, who had won the Candidates tournament in 2021 and 2022.

How Gukesh has fared over the last one year

Gukesh had enjoyed a red-hot run in 2024, in which he became the youngest winner in the history of the Candidates as well as the World Championship besides individual gold at the Chess Olympiad on Board 1. The Indian GM, who turns 20 later this month, had also finished runner-up at the Tata Steel Chess last year, and had beaten Magnus Carlsen for the first time in his career.

Also Read | 'Gukesh won’t fear Sindarov in World Chess Championship match, he will relish it'

Gukesh, however, has been going through a lean patch for nearly a year now, having struggled at major events such as the Sinquefield Cup, Fide Grand Swiss as well as the Fide World Cup. He also had a poor run at events such as Tata Steel Chess and Prague Masters earlier this year, failing to register a single win until the final round in the latter.

The Chennai lad, thus, has opted for a lighter schedule in order to prepare for his title defence later this year by withdrawing from the Grand Chess Tour, which gets underway on Tuesday.