Garry Kasparov, one of the greatest chess players of all time, has sparked a major debate in world chess and speaking during the 2025 Sinquefield Cup broadcast, the Russian legend said the “era of classical world champions” ended when Magnus Carlsen relinquished his crown in 2023. His comments came while discussing India’s teenage star Gukesh Dommaraju, who became the youngest world champion at 18 in 2024 by breaking Kasparov’s own record. While Kasparov acknowledged that Gukesh’s triumph was fair, he insisted the teenager still needs to prove he is truly the strongest player in the world.
Kasparov’s Candid Remarks on Gukesh
Kasparov made his point clear. He said Gukesh “won fair and square but you can hardly call him the strongest player in the world.” He stressed that Magnus Carlsen’s departure from classical titles changed the entire landscape. In his view, Gukesh’s crown carries a different weight than the titles of past champions like Karpov, Fischer, or Carlsen.
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The Russian icon pointed directly to Gukesh’s performance at the Sinquefield Cup. He said the round one game against fellow Indian prodigy R Praggnanandhaa was unimpressive. He also noted Gukesh’s draw with Polish grandmaster Jan-Krzysztof Duda. Kasparov underlined that rules decide champions, but strength still requires proof across competitions.
Apology but Firm Stand
Kasparov later apologized for the harsh tone of his remarks. However, he did not change his view. He explained, “This is not exactly the title that I had or Karpov had or Fischer had, or Magnus had.” His words highlight a continuing debate in chess about how Carlsen’s withdrawal from the world title cycle altered the meaning of the championship.
Carlsen’s Exit and Gukesh’s Rise
Magnus Carlsen, after winning the world title five times, refused to defend it in 2023. That decision led to a championship match between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren, where Ding claimed the crown as the 17th world champion and the cycle then continued, and in December 2024, Gukesh captured the world championship at just 18, making history for India and surpassing Kasparov’s record.
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What Lies Ahead
Kasparov remains firm in his assessment. He believes the next Candidates and world championship cycle will bring more clarity. For now, he accepts Gukesh as a rightful champion but questions whether the teenager can dominate in the way past legends did and his words set the stage for a new chapter in chess where history, talent, and legacy collide.
