Gukesh Dommaraju, the 20-year-old world champion from India, is in crisis. Since winning the title by defeating Ding Liren in 2024, he has suffered a catastrophic slump in form. His latest setback, at the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters tournament, saw him finish in clear last place, just as he did at the elite Norway Chess event in June.

Gukesh will defend his title in a match which is provisionally scheduled to begin in November. He has plummeted to 30th place on the live rating list, barely above the symbolic 2700 level. His Uzbek challenger Javokhir Sindarov currently sits at fourth place, making him a clear favourite.

Some time ago, comparing the strengths of the top Indian players, the renowned Indian coach RB Ramesh identified Gukesh’s main strength as his ‘insane self-belief’. That accords with my own experience facing Gukesh in a tense game at the London Chess Classic in 2023. During our brief postmortem chat he showed no arrogance at all, but evinced the quiet conviction that he would win somehow (as indeed he did).

Confidence is a boon to any player, so its presence or absence can create a virtuous or vicious circle. Gukesh’s recent games have been painful to watch, giving the impression of a player who can do nothing right. Two losses in Chennai even came from excellent positions. In the position below, strongest was 29 Bf4!, followed by Ne2-g3 and then Bf4-d6 or Bf4-e5-g7. There is little Black can do to oppose these ideas.

Gukesh Dommaraju–Arjun Erigasi

Chennai Grand Masters, July 2026

29 Be5? Nf5! Now 30 Ng3?? loses to Nxe3+ 30 Bg7 Ke7 31 Bf6+ Kd6 A cheeky defence, but the king is remarkably safe here. 32 Be5+ Ke7 33 Bf6+ Kd6 34 Bg7 Ke7 35 e4 Nxg7 36 Qxc8 Nge6 The position is balanced, and Gukesh lost his way in the complications. After 63 moves, White resigns.

When it rains, it pours. The next day, Gukesh built up a two-pawn advantage, but managed to lose yet again.

M. Pranesh–Gukesh Dommaraju

Chennai Grand Masters, July 2026

25…Rd5? 25…Bd6! was best, followed by Kc8-b8-a8 and Rh7-h8 to tidy up. With care, Black should win. 26 Qc4 Qd6 27 Bf4 Ba3+ 28 Ka1 Qd7 29 Rb1 Already, Black must tread carefully. Best was 29…Rh8 30 Rb6 Rb5 but White’s game remains easier. b5? A fatal weakening. 30 Qb3 b4 31 Qc4 Kd8 Now everything just collapses. 31…Kb7 32 Nc5+ Rxc5 33 Qxc5 was the last chance. 32 Nc5 Qf5 33 Nb7+ Kd7 34 g4! Qe4 35 Rhe1 Qf3 36 Rb3 Qxf4 37 Qxd5+ Kc7 38 Rf3 Bb2+ 39 Kb1 Black resigns