How Gukesh was forced to resign in just 18 moves against Caruana to Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Weissenhaus – Firstpost

The world chess champion and the Grand Master Indian Gukesh was eliminated from the title race of the current tour of the Grand Chem du Grand Chelem de Weissenhaus on Monday January 10). Gukesh was eliminated after losing both legs from the quarter -finals, resigning in match 2 of the last eight games after only 18 movements against the American Master Fabiano Caruana.

Having already lost match 1 of the quarterfinals, Gukesh needed a victory against Caruana on Monday to force the shooting broken. However, the feeling of 18 -year -old Indian chess, who defeated Dinge Liren in the 2024 world chess championship, was disadvantaged with black pieces.

How Gukesh made a mistake against Caruana

Caruana has created early pressure by capturing Gukesh’s pawns on D4 and F5. It opened a chance for Gukesh to move his bishop and capture the white pawn on A2 but he played 6… G6?!. The computer engine did not support the movement and estimated that 6 … Bxa2 was the right choice.

It was not the only error that Gukesh made in the match. According to Lichess.org’s analysis, Gukesh also made a mistake on the 17th blow when he played 17… C5?! But the computer felt 17… ND7 was the best blow.

With the computer engine giving a huge advantage to Gukesh and Caruana opting for Kingside Castling, the Indian GM resigned without hope of winning a victory.

Caruana had a pawn advantage and a solid defense where his king was well protected. This forced Gukesh to resign after only 18 movements because he may have felt that he was better for him to rest and recharge his batteries.

Gukesh will now compete in the 5th-8th place qualifiers.

Gukesh has not won a single match so far in Weissenhaus’s leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025 and only progressed by winning the last qualification place after playing seven draws and underwent two defeats on the round stage.

Caruana will face the winner of the American Hikarura match against Javokhir Sindarov from Uzbekistan.