Karpov Slams Gukesh's World Championship Win as an 'Accident'
Image Source: Internet
Chees legend Anatoly Karpov called D Gukesh's World Championship victory against Ding Liren an 'accident'. Gukesh defeated Liren in Singapore in December 2024 to become the youngest-ever world chess champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov's 40-year-old record (he was 22) to win the title at 18 years and six months old.
Karpov, who also clinched the world champion title when he was young, credited the Indian chess system for Gukesh's victory. 'If we talk about the situation as a whole, how Gukesh became world champion, then this is the result of a serious state program for chess in India', he said.
According to Karpov, the Indian chess player became champion by accident, as Ding Liren lost a game he shouldn't have lost. Karpov also mentioned that the Indian chess players are already straddling international tournaments, thanks to the government's support.
Gukesh will defend his title this year and face the winner of the upcoming Candidates 2026 tournament. The Candidates 2026 will take place in Cyprus between March 28 and April 16.
