Gukesh stuns with rapid victory
Gukesh Dominates Rapid Chess in Zagreb: D Gukesh, the reigning World Chess Champion, secured a major triumph by winning the rapid title at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz 2025 tournament in Zagreb, Croatia, on July 4, 2025. He scored a remarkable 14 out of 18 points, placing himself ahead of top international players in the Grand Chess Tour standings.
Brilliant consistency over three days
Gukesh showcased extraordinary consistency throughout the three-day rapid segment. His most dominant run came on the second day when he scored five consecutive wins, a rare feat at this elite level. On the final day, he played strategically, drawing against Anish Giri (Netherlands) and Ivan Šarić (Croatia), then defeating Wesley So (USA) in the last round to secure the top spot.
Static GK fact: Rapid chess games typically allot 15–30 minutes per player, testing both strategy and time management.
Top contenders and close competition
Second place was taken by Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland, who had defeated Gukesh in the opening round. He finished with 11 points. Magnus Carlsen, the former world champion from Norway and currently top-ranked player, scored 10 points to finish third. Despite a strong start, his draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov stalled his progress.
Indian prodigy R Praggnanandhaa delivered a strong showing with 9 points, tying with Fabiano Caruana. His performance included a win over Šarić and draws with Wesley So and Duda. Other key competitors such as Alireza Firouzja, Giri, and So ended with 8 points each.
Static GK Tip: The Grand Chess Tour is an annual series of elite international chess tournaments established in 2015.
Blitz section to decide the champion
Though the rapid section is complete, the tournament winner will be decided after the blitz section, which begins on July 5. Gukesh enters this final phase with a 3-point lead, placing him in a strong position to capture the overall title of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz 2025.
The combined format of rapid and blitz games ensures a balanced test of quick calculation and positional mastery. With elite players closing in, Gukesh must maintain composure and form in the upcoming rounds.
Static GK fact: Blitz chess typically allows only 3 to 5 minutes per player, making it the fastest format in official tournaments.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Gukesh Dominates Rapid Chess in Zagreb:
| Topic | Detail |
| Event | SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz 2025 |
| Location | Zagreb, Croatia |
| Winner (Rapid) | D Gukesh |
| Points Scored by Gukesh | 14 out of 18 |
| 2nd Place | Jan-Krzysztof Duda (11 points) |
| 3rd Place | Magnus Carlsen (10 points) |
| Indian Participants | D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa |
| Next Phase | Blitz section (July 5 onward) |
| Chess Format | Rapid and Blitz |
| Grand Chess Tour | Founded in 2015, elite global chess circuit |
