Archive · 8 Dec 2025
Gukesh Aims to Dethrone Carlsen as World No 1
D Gukesh, an 18-year-old chess champion from India, wants to become the world's number one chess player.
He has been the world champion since last year and is currently ranked number three.
Gukesh is aiming to take the top spot from Magnus Carlsen, who has been number one since 2011.
Gukesh said he will try his best to achieve this goal.
He also mentioned that he would like to play against his fellow Indian player, R Praggnanandhaa, in the World Chess Championship next year.
Praggnanandhaa is one of the favorites to qualify for the tournament and has recently won the FIDE Circuit 2025, securing his spot in the 2026 Candidates tournament.
The 2026 Candidates tournament is scheduled to be held in Cyprus between March 28 and April 16, 2026, with the winner challenging Gukesh for the world championship title.
D Gukesh, the 18-year-old Indian chess champion, aims to dethrone Magnus Carlsen as the world No 1.
Carlsen has held the No 1 ranking since July 2011, making it the longest reign in chess history.
Gukesh expressed his desire to become world No 1 during an 'Ask Me Anything' session on social media.
Gukesh chose R Praggnanandhaa as his preferred challenger from the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament.
Praggnanandhaa, also from Chennai, qualified for the 2026 Candidates tournament after winning the FIDE Circuit 2025.
- Who
- D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, R Praggnanandhaa
- What
- Gukesh aims to become world No 1 in chess, challenging Carlsen's long-held ranking, while Praggnanandhaa qualifies for the 2026 Candidates tournament.
- When
- Gukesh's comments were made in December 2025, and Praggnanandhaa qualified for the 2026 Candidates tournament in December 2025.
- Where
- Gukesh's statements were made on social media (X), and the 2026 Candidates tournament is scheduled to be held in Cyprus.
- Why
- Gukesh wants to achieve the world No 1 ranking and has chosen Praggnanandhaa as his preferred challenger from the FIDE Candidates 2026, while Praggnanandhaa qualified for the tournament after winning the FIDE Circuit 2025.
Gukesh's Ambition
Carlsen's Reign
World No 1 Ranking
Gukesh's Ambition
Gukesh aims to become the world No 1 chess player, challenging Carlsen's long-held ranking.
Carlsen's Reign
Carlsen has held the No 1 ranking since July 2011, making it the longest reign in chess history.
- Gukesh's Current Ranking
- World No 3
- Carlsen's No 1 Reign
- Since July 2011
- Gukesh's Age
- 18 years old
- FIDE Candidates 2026 Participants
- Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Matthias Blübaum, Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi, Andrey Esipenko, R Praggnanandhaa, Hikaru Nakamura
- Gukesh's Preferred Challenger
- R Praggnanandhaa
- Praggnanandhaa's Age
- 19 years old
- FIDE Circuit 2025 Winner
- R Praggnanandhaa
- 2026 Candidates Tournament Date
- March 28 to April 16, 2026
Sources
Magnus Carlsen’s record reign in Gukesh’s sights as world champion vows to give his ‘absolute best’
R Praggnanandhaa qualifies for 2026 Candidates after winning FIDE Circuit
R Praggnanandhaa Secures Spot In 2026 Candidates Tournament After Winning FIDE Circuit 2025
