D Gukesh's Coach Confident On Indian GM In World Championship Clash: 'Can't Really Blame...'

Last Updated:June 09, 2026, 08:27 IST

World champion D Gukesh finishes last at Norway Chess 2026, but coach Grzegorz Gajewski defends his aggressive style as he prepares to defend his title vs Javokhir Sindarov

Despite a disappointing outing at the recent Norway Chess tournament, reigning world champion D Gukesh continues to enjoy the full backing of his coach and mentor, Grzegorz Gajewski, who believes the Indian prodigy remains on the right path as he enters a crucial phase of his career.

Gukesh entered Norway Chess 2026 with high expectations but endured a difficult campaign, finishing at the bottom of the standings with 8 points. Although he displayed flashes of his fighting spirit, including an early Armageddon victory, the 19-year-old struggled to find consistency against an elite field and came under scrutiny for his results.

As criticism mounted over the world champion’s performances and playing style, Gajewski offered a strong defence of his student, emphasising the pressures that come with holding the game’s most prestigious title.

“It’s a very difficult spot to be where he’s at. He is under the spotlight, and we are doing all we can in our power to come back to the highest level," Gajewski was quoted as saying by Endgame AI.

One of the key talking points surrounding D Gukesh has been his aggressive, risk-taking approach. While that style has attracted criticism in light of his recent struggles, Gajewski argued that it was precisely this fearless mindset that enabled the Indian grandmaster to achieve the greatest success of his career.

“That approach made him the world champion in the first place. He really needed to do so many things to make this world title happen. So I can’t really blame the approach. He has many weaknesses, and when he was winning the title, he had the same weaknesses as he has right now. Maybe even more. But at that time there was so much confidence," Gukesh’s coach added.

D Gukesh vs Javokhir Sindarov

Gukesh’s rise to the top of world chess has been built on his willingness to embrace complex positions and take calculated risks, qualities that helped him capture the world crown at a remarkably young age.

The Indian star will now turn his attention to defending his title against Javokhir Sindarov, who secured the challenger’s spot by winning the 2026 Candidates Tournament. The championship clash is expected to be one of the most anticipated contests in recent chess history, with Gukesh aiming to silence his critics and reaffirm his place at the summit of the sport.

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Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for over a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket conten...Read More

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