This is my theory of why the Chess prodigies cannot hold on to their flag pole and it is going to change every year. And why Carlsen will remain the undisputed king for quite some time. And how I can help Gukesh retain his World Championship Title – through Mushin.
Before I get on my theory – a bit of background of these champs.
Carlsen is the GOAT. He got bored of winning World Cup after World Cup. He does not want to go through the months of gruelling preparation of using a computer to find a slight improvement in one of of the openings established over a century – and remembering all the variations – instead he plays Fischer Random chess – a variation of Chess where one cannot memorise the positions or patterns. It is still evolving.
Gukesh. Oh what a run he had. When he was 18 I think – he won the Gold in 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai -and – he remained undefeated in board 1. He beat Fabiano Caruana, USA, World No. 2.
He qualified for the Candidates in 2024 – the top 8 / 10 Chess players play among themselves to challenge the current World Champion – Ding Liren – the reining World Chess Champion in 2024.
Gukesh lost only to Alireza Firouja – but came out on top. Well almost. Had Fabiana Caruana won against Ian Nippomachi – which he was winning by the way – but one wrong placement of Rook I think – and everything crumbled. And Gukesh was the chosen one to face Ding Liren
And Gukesh won Ding Liren in the 12th game – on a blunder by Ding Liren in a drawn dead position – in the end game.
After that Gukesh lost his shine. He had pressure as a World Champion – and commentators like Agadmator will tell in glee – World Champion Gukesh loses to X. Grr.
But thats the nature of Chess. I am yet to come to my theory
Javokhir Sindarov – 20 year from Uzbekistan. In 2026, he has now won the candidates and is going to face Gukesh. He remained undefeated and is in Scintillating form. Just like how Gukesh was once.
He will certainly defeat Gukesh.
Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş of Turkey. 14 years and killing it.
This is my prediction. He will win the candidates next year and will defeat Sindarov in 2028. The cycle will continue.
Now to my theory
Chess is the only sport that tests your brain. All other sports tests your skill, your reflex, your hand eye-coordination, brain and of course your mental strength.
Chess tests only the brain. period.
Your hand will make the move the brain wants to. Rarely in top tier chess games a blunder happened because the hand did something the brain did not want to.
Now why is Carlsen so far undefeated. If Carlsen is enrolling in a tournament with a mask – and no one can recognise him – I am 100% sure that he will get defeated by a Grand Master – wish FIDE tests this theory.
There is this aura that has got built. Moment a difficult position arises I see Carlsens’ opponents make a slight blunder – because they know – Carlsen will certainly win from here – and Carlsen capitalises on this slight weakness and wins it.
Carlsen’s opponents manifest the fear of defeat and get defeated.
There is a saying in Tamil – Elam Kandra Bayam Ariyaathu ( A young calf does not know fear )
When Gukesh was playing in the Olympiad or Candidates there was no pressure on him. He had no fear. In the fray there were other Indian GMs – Pragannanda, Arjun Erigasi, Nihal Sarin, Vijit Gujarati – and the spotlight was not on Gukesh alone.
But then he won the World Championship and there was a constant spotlight on him all the time.
And his brain is not how it used to be – unfettered – now it hesitates – over calculates – and he blunders and does not play the best moves.
Sindarov today is like Gukesh. No Pressure and he is playing his best chess without any fear.
Erdogmus is like Sindarov. Playing some amazing fearless chess.
The brain when it has no doubt, fear – performs at its peak.
This brings us to Mushin – which will help Gukesh.
“Mushin” – Attributed to Miyamoto Musashi – Zen sword master.
No mind or motion state. He talks of 3 things during a sword fight
- No pride. If you are defeating the opponent do not let Pride come in. It will lead to your downfall.
- No doubt or fear. Even if your opponent is stronger, skilled do not let doubt or fear come in. It will lead to your downfall.. Focus on just the current attack. Plan the next move.
- Rely on your practise. Let instincts kick in and let it do the job. Do not force it. Be natural.
Help me send this to Gukesh and help him win against Sindarov 🙂
