Gukesh Verbijsts Carlsen again, forces Norwegian to resign from SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz

File photo of D Gukesh | Photocredit: Ani

Reigning world champion D Gukesh Verbijster world number one Magnus Carlsen again on the Superunited Rapid and Blitz Croatia 2025, in Zagreb, who expanded its wintreak to five on Thursday.

There was no angry fist trap on the table or an animated reaction from Carlsen, who again blundered out of a profit position. While Gukesh stood triumphantly, he came forward as the only leader with 10 points at the end of the second day, with Carlsen behind with six points. In anticipation of the last set of competitions, Gukesh maintains a two-point advantage compared to Jan-Krzysztof Duda, who remains his closest challenger.

Last month, Gukesh won a stunning victory against the former world number one in round 6 of the chess of Norway and continued to keep his burning form intact. Carlsen stood in line with the white pieces, while Gukesh tried to assert control with the black pieces.

The Norwegian enjoyed an early dominance and tried to create openings against the Teenage Indian Grandmaster in the Rapid game. However, the game changed completely to the advantage of Gukesh after he blundered by choosing to push his B -Pion to B4. Gukesh took control from that moment and forced Carlsen back in the moving match.

With less than 30 seconds left on the clock for Carlsen, the Norwegian realized the fate of the game and decided to resign. He shook Gukesh’s hand without showing much emotion or making eye contact.

“Now we can question the dominance of Magnus, because this is not just his second loss for Gukesh, it is a convincing loss,” said former world champion Garry Kasparov, who was on a comment for the official stream. Kasparov was not impressed by Carlsen’s decision to move his pawn to B4.

Gukesh was delighted to turn the game after mixing a few of his first movements and said after the game: “Magnus’s beating is always special, and this gives a little more confidence. I had a terrible opening.”

Published on July 4, 2025