Indian chess sensation and reigning World Champion D. Gukesh emerged victorious in the rapid section of the Grand Chess Tour 2025 Rapid & Blitz tournament held in Zagreb, Croatia, on Friday, July 4. The 19-year-old prodigy displayed exceptional resilience and tactical brilliance, rebounding from an early loss to secure five consecutive wins, including a headline-grabbing victory over Magnus Carlsen.
With 14 points, Gukesh claimed the top spot in the rapid standings. Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda finished second with 11 points, while former World Champion Magnus Carlsen took third place with 10 points.
Another rising Indian star, R. Praggnanandhaa, continued his impressive run on the tour by finishing joint fourth with Fabiano Caruana, both scoring 9 points.
Gukesh’s steady climb included strategic draws in rounds 7 and 8 against Anish Giri and Ivan Saric. He sealed the title in style by defeating Wesley So in the final rapid round, further cementing his place at the top of the global chess scene.
The Zagreb event marks the third leg of the Grand Chess Tour 2025, following tournaments in Poland and Romania earlier this year. The action now shifts to the blitz section, scheduled for July 5–6, with the overall title to be awarded based on combined rapid and blitz scores.
R. Praggnanandhaa has already made a strong impact on the 2025 circuit, having won the Bucharest leg and secured third place in Warsaw. His consistency, along with Gukesh’s dominance, signals a golden era for Indian chess on the international stage.
The Grand Chess Tour 2025 will continue with two U.S. events in August, followed by the final tournament in Brazil (September–October), which will feature a comprehensive format including classical, rapid, and blitz games.
Gukesh’s triumph in Zagreb not only adds to his growing legacy but also underscores India’s growing dominance in the world of chess.
