The world champion reflects on expectations after difficult Norway Chess campaign
For Gukesh Dommaraju, the year and a half following his rise to the world title have brought a different kind of test. The 20-year-old Indian grandmaster, who is due to defend his crown in about six months, spoke with unusual openness in an interview with Hindustan Times, describing the pressure of his new status, the difficulty of managing ambition over the board and the challenge of reconnecting with the enjoyment that first drew him to chess.
The interview came shortly after Norway Chess, where Gukesh endured one of the most difficult tournaments of his elite career. He finished last in the six-player event in Oslo, scoring 8 points. In classical play, he lost five games, won one and drew four, while also winning two of his four Armageddon deciders. His final-round defeat to Magnus Carlsen confirmed a disappointing overall result, costing him 14.8 rating points and sending him down eight places on the live ratings list.
Two Super Grandmasters from India explain the ins & outs of Attack, Tactics an Calculations in these two video courses.That context gave added weight to Gukesh's reflections. Asked about the hardest part of being world champion, he pointed first to expectations - not only those coming from outside, but also those he places on himself. He described it as an "elephant in the room", admitting that the situation is currently "not looking great". The tone was not self-pitying, but rather analytical: a young player trying to understand why the same qualities that helped him reach the top can also become a source of instability.
Gukesh Dommaraju signing autographs at this year's edition of the Tata Steel Masters, where he scored 6½/13 | Photo: ChessBase / Nils Rohde
Gukesh acknowledged that his natural tendency is to push for wins. Having grown up playing open tournaments, he said he learned early that success often required ambition and practical trickiness. At the highest level, however, this approach must be balanced with objectivity.
He framed the problem as one of discipline rather than ability. Being ambitious, he suggested, remains a strength, but only when controlled. In recent months, he said, "my strengths have been controlling me".
The interview also touched on motivation after becoming world champion at such a young age. Gukesh admitted there were periods in 2025 when motivation was an issue. Winning the title, he explained, removes the obvious target that drives most elite players for years. He is now trying to find a more internal source of motivation, one less dependent on results.
Away from the board, he mentioned friends and music as sources of balance. But chess remains central. Even amid frustration, he said he still wants to spend time with the game. "Right now, it's a challenge", he said of enjoying chess. For Gukesh, the immediate task is not merely to recover form, but to rediscover the conditions that allow his ambition to work for him rather than against him.
Read the full interview...
In this Fritztrainer: “Attack like a Super GM” with Gukesh we touch upon all aspects of his play, with special emphasis on how you can become a better attacking player.
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