In a highly anticipated clash of generations, the legendary Viswanathan Anand defeated the reigning world champion, D Gukesh, in a thrilling encounter during the Global Chess League 2025. The match, held on Tuesday, December 16, saw Anand's Ganges Grandmasters secure a dominant 12-3 victory over Gukesh's PBG Alaskan Knights.
A Battle of Wits on the 64 Squares
The stage was set for a dramatic fight when Gukesh, playing with the black pieces, chose the aggressive Sicilian Defence. This opening, a favourite of chess legends like Garry Kasparov and Bobby Fischer, is known for creating imbalanced, sharp positions. Gukesh specifically opted for the Kan Variation, a choice that carried historical weight. It was the same variation Anand had employed in his 2014 World Championship match against Magnus Carlsen.
"The Kan Variation I didn't exactly expect," Anand confessed after the game in comments to The Indian Express. "But at the same time, before the tournament I had made a mental note of it, it wasn't completely out of the blue." The move signaled Gukesh's clear intent: to challenge his idol and mentor in a complex tactical battle.
How the Game Unfolded
The game remained balanced for the first 34 moves, with Anand holding a slight edge. The turning point came when the 19-year-old world champion made a critical error with his rook. This mistake handed the veteran a significant advantage that he never relinquished. Anand, known for his precise technique, steadily improved his position with each move.
The tournament's time control, which adds only two seconds per move after the 40th move, added to the pressure. For a deep calculator like Gukesh, this increment proved insufficient to find a way out of the deteriorating position. After 45 moves, Gukesh was forced to resign, handing Anand a memorable victory.
Context and Consequences for Both Champions
This result marks a contrasting phase in the careers of the two Indian superstars. For Gukesh, 2025 has been a year of struggle compared to his golden run in 2024, which culminated in him winning the world championship title. The loss to Anand is his second defeat in three games at the ongoing Global Chess League.
For the semi-retired Anand, this was a statement win and his first victory of the tournament, following losses to top players Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Fabiano Caruana. The match carried extra significance, as Anand had previously noted that a game between India's only two chess world champions would bring added drama and attention.
The personal connection between the players added a rich layer to the contest. Gukesh, who affectionately calls Anand 'Vishy sir', had reportedly circled this match on his calendar after the league fixtures were announced. Their relationship has evolved from mentor and playful protege to one of fierce competitors on the board, with Anand recently observing a more serious, business-like approach from the young champion.
This encounter underscores the timeless appeal of classical chess rivalries and proves that experience, when paired with enduring skill, can still triumph on the global stage. The Sicilian Defence, once again, lived up to its reputation as the battleground of choice for fighters, setting the scene for a memorable chapter in India's chess history.
