D. Gukesh Wins Rapid Title at SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz in Zagreb
Reigning World Champion D. Gukesh delivered a dominant performance to clinch the rapid title at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz tournament in Zagreb, Croatia, part of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour. The 19-year-old finished with 14 points out of 18, showcasing maturity, tactical sharpness, and composure throughout the event.
Despite a first-round loss to Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Gukesh rebounded with five consecutive victories, highlighted by a stunning win over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 4. He sealed the title with a final-round victory over Wesley So, exploiting a tactical error in a precise 36-move game.
Gukesh’s rapid section results:
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6 wins, including over Carlsen and So
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2 draws, including against Anish Giri and Ivan Aric
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1 loss (to Duda)
Duda, the only player to beat Gukesh in Zagreb, finished second. Carlsen’s challenge faded after a key draw with Nodirbek Abdusattorov, despite an earlier win over Fabiano Caruana.
R. Praggnanandhaa, the other Indian participant, had a quieter outing:
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1 win (against Aric)
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7 draws, finishing with 9 points
While Praggnanandhaa didn’t contend for the rapid title, his strong performances earlier in Bucharest and Warsaw keep him in the hunt for the overall Grand Chess Tour standings.
The blitz section begins Saturday and runs through 6 July, with the combined points from both formats determining the final winner. With upcoming tour stops in the United States (August) and Brazil (September–October), Gukesh’s imperious form in Zagreb may mark a turning point in a breakthrough year for Indian chess.
