The transition from challenger to reigning monarch in the domain of elite chess is rarely seamless. For D. Gukesh, who made history by becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion in late 2024, the subsequent year of 2025 has proved to be a challenging academic period in the harsh reality of global competition. The celebrated triumph was followed not by sustained dominance, but by a perplexing inconsistency that has led to a crucial strategic reassessment for his team ahead of the critical 2026 title defense.
Gukesh’s performance throughout 2025 presented a dichotomy: moments of undisputed brilliance interspersed with bewildering collapses. Early in the year, he demonstrated his enduring strength in classical chess, narrowly missing the Tata Steel Masters title only on tie-breaks. Furthermore, his ability to confront the current era’s gold standard, Magnus Carlsen, remained intact, securing victories against the Norwegian in both classical and rapid formats during the Norway Chess and Grand Chess Tour events.
Yet, these high points were systematically overshadowed by failures in the tournaments carrying the greatest institutional weight. The FIDE Grand Swiss saw the World Champion finish a distant 41st, a result virtually unprecedented for the reigning title holder. This downward trend culminated in an early exit from the FIDE World Cup in the third round. Combined with persistent struggles in rapid and blitz disciplines, including the demanding Freestyle Chess Tour, 2025 registered, by all measurable standards, as a year of significant underperformance.
The Psychological Reset: Navigating the Champion’s Slump
The champion`s coach, Grzegorz Gajewski, maintains a pragmatic perspective, viewing the volatility not as a failure of skill, but as a byproduct of extraordinary circumstances. Gajewski points to two critical factors: the inherent inconsistency of a teenager competing at the apex of global sport, and the profound psychological ‘reset’ required after achieving a lifetime ambition.
“When you work your entire life for a single goal, and then you achieve it, finding new, sustainable motivation is inherently difficult, especially for someone so young,” Gajewski observes. This notion, however, finds little sympathy among the wider chess community.
The world of chess, historically accustomed to the near-perfect command displayed by champions like Garry Kasparov and Carlsen, grants no concessions for youth or psychological adjustment. The expectation placed upon Gukesh is relentless: perfection across all formats and time controls. This intense pressure fueled vocal criticism, with legends of the game explicitly questioning whether the crown rests with the same undeniable authority upon Gukesh`s head as it did upon his predecessors. Such external noise, while perhaps unfair, defines the landscape for the current World Champion.
Gajewski, while acknowledging the mistakes, vehemently defends his ward’s legitimacy: “Does he deserve the World Championship? Of course he does, because he won it.” He notes that the specific technical faults leading to losses are identifiable and addressable—though details on the corrective chess preparation remain undisclosed, a standard tactical silence ahead of a title defense.
The 2026 Strategy: Precision Over Volume
The most tangible outcome of the difficult 2025 campaign is a radical overhaul of the champion`s competitive schedule. The previous year saw Gukesh participating extensively across various formats: the Freestyle Chess Tour, the Grand Chess Tour, major classical events, and high-profile exhibitions. This aggressive schedule, intended to further his chess education and capitalize on opportunities—such as the unique chance to play Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Fabiano Caruana in a single event—proved physically and mentally taxing.
For 2026, the strategy shifts decisively toward selectivity and focus. Gajewski`s team is grappling with the fundamental management challenge: how to balance valuable competitive exposure with the critical need for rest and dedicated classical preparation. The consensus decision is clear: Gukesh will become significantly more selective in his tournament participation.
The primary focus will be centered on fortifying his classical chess foundation, the format in which his title defense will be waged. While the champion and his team remain committed to competing aggressively in major non-classical events—such as the forthcoming World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Doha—these engagements will be carefully weighed against the overarching goal of retaining the crown.
Legitimacy and Legacy
Gukesh, upon his coronation, famously stated that he was not the best player in the world, but that was his ultimate objective. Based on the data from 2025, that objective appears further away than it did a year prior. However, 2026 offers an immediate, high-stakes opportunity to fundamentally shift the narrative.
The successful defense of the World Championship title is the ultimate proof of elite ability. While winning the initial title proved Gukesh deserved the match, defending it against the world`s best will silence the current chorus of critics and eliminate any lingering questions regarding his status among the chess pantheon. After experiencing the grueling journey to the crown once, Grzegorz Gajewski and D. Gukesh are fully committed to navigating the tactical and psychological demands necessary to ensure the young champion maintains his hold on the most coveted title in intellectual sport.
