10 Sep 2025: Indian chess prodigy D. Gukesh had a night to forget as he suffered his second consecutive loss at the prestigious FIDE Grand Swiss tournament. The 19-year-old Grandmaster, one of India’s brightest hopes in global chess, was visibly upset and stormed out of the playing hall immediately after resigning his game, sparking reactions across the chess community.
Match Recap:
Gukesh was paired against experienced Russian GM Andrey Esipenko in Round 8. Playing with the black pieces, Gukesh opted for the Sicilian Defense but soon found himself under heavy pressure in the middlegame. Esipenko capitalized on a miscalculated knight move, gaining a decisive advantage. Despite a valiant attempt to hold on, Gukesh was forced to resign after 42 moves.
This marked his second consecutive loss, having been defeated by American GM Levon Aronian in the previous round. The back-to-back setbacks have significantly impacted his chances of finishing in the top two, which offer coveted spots in the Candidates Tournament — the qualifier for the World Chess Championship.
Player Reaction:
Eyewitnesses reported that Gukesh appeared visibly dejected, packed up his pieces quickly, and walked out without interacting with the media. Fans expressed concern about the mental toll of the losses, noting the pressure young prodigies face in elite tournaments.
Coach’s Perspective:
Gukesh’s coach, GM Vishnu Prasanna, urged calm, stating that setbacks are part of a top player’s growth. “He is young and resilient. One bad tournament doesn’t define a career. The focus now is on bouncing back in the remaining rounds,” he said.
Impact on Standings:
With this loss, Gukesh dropped to 4.5 points after eight rounds, placing him outside the top 15 on the leaderboard. To stay in contention for a top finish, he will need to win most of his remaining games — a tall but not impossible order.
Chess Community Reaction:
Grandmasters and fans took to social media to support Gukesh. Viswanathan Anand, India’s first World Champion, tweeted encouragement: “Losses are part of the journey. Bounce back stronger, Gukesh!”
Looking Ahead:
Gukesh is scheduled to face Spanish GM David Anton Guijarro in the next round. A win could help him regain momentum and confidence heading into the final stretch of the tournament.
Summary:
Indian GM Gukesh suffered his second straight loss at the Grand Swiss, storming out of the hall in frustration. His qualification hopes take a hit, but fans and coaches back him to recover.