D Gukesh on Cheating in Chess: Problems Exaggerated

World Champion D Gukesh minimizes the significance of cheating in chess, disagreeing with Vladimir Kramnik's accusations and focusing on the upcoming Candidates Tournament.

IMAGE: D Gukesh speaks out on cheating in chess. Photograph: Prague International Chess Festival/X

Key Points

World Champion D Gukesh believes that the issue of cheating in chess is being exaggerated.
Gukesh does not support Vladimir Kramnik's accusations of cheating against other chess players.
Gukesh, along with Magnus Carlsen and other Indian stars, has criticised Kramnik for unsubstantiated cheating allegations.
Gukesh is preparing for the Candidates Tournament and looks forward to potentially playing R Praggnanandhaa.

World Champion D Gukesh has categorically stated that the problems around cheating in chess are made to be bigger than its existence.

Speaking during a press conference for the Prague International festival, Gukesh said he did not support Vladimir Kramnik, a former world champion who has been infamously levelling charges against quite a few chess players suspecting cheating during online games.

"Obviously, I'm against any kind of unfair or unethical play," "It's a kind of problem that we have been seeing lately," Gukesh said.

The whole world had stood out for Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky of America who died at a young age of just 29 years. Naroditsky was a famous content creator in chess who appeared to be very emotional in his last stream just days before his untimely death.

Gukesh is not the only one to join the bandwagon as earlier World number one Magnus Carlsen, FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich and Indian stars Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin had also criticised Kramnik as his allegations could not be substantiated with any definite proof.

Gukesh on the Candidates Tournament

Speaking about the forthcoming Candidates tournament, Gukesh said he did not believe in favourites and that he would love to play fellow city-mate R Praggnanandhaa.

First Round Matchup

Meanwhile in the first round of the super tournament, Gukesh will face Hans Moke Niemann of United States, another player who has fought his way to top level chess. Niemann is a dangerous customer and Gukesh likes to go for complex play which insures a fighting beginning for the World Champion.

The other Indian in the fray, Aravindh Chithambaram will take on Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, a recent winner of the Tata Steel Masters.