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Karpov: Gukesh Won Chess Crown by Accident
21 Mar
Summary
- Anatoly Karpov claims Gukesh won the championship unexpectedly.
- Karpov states Magnus Carlsen is still the de facto champion.
- He credits India's state program for Gukesh's rise.
Anatoly Karpov, a six-time world chess champion, has stated that Gukesh Dommaraju's recent FIDE World Championship win was "by accident." Karpov believes Gukesh secured the title because his opponent, Ding Liren, lost a game he should not have. Karpov suggested that Magnus Carlsen, who chose not to defend his title in 2023 and now competes infrequently in classical chess, is still effectively the champion.
Despite his controversial remarks on Gukesh's victory, Karpov expressed admiration for India's "serious state program" for chess. He highlighted how government support, including providing apartments for players, has fueled a chess boom in India. This initiative has led to the emergence of numerous grandmasters and the country's strong performance in international tournaments, prompting some European organizers to consider limiting the number of Indian participants. Gukesh, who became the youngest world champion, is set to defend his title later this year. The challenger will be determined at the Candidates Tournament scheduled to take place from March 28 to April 16 in Cyprus.
