Overview
- On the eve of the Doha event, Magnus Carlsen said fatherhood has not changed his hunger and that he is here to win.
- Carlsen described D. Gukesh as a youngster, noting he was already a top-50 player when the 19-year-old was born.
- Gukesh said he has few expectations for rapid and blitz, plans to experiment and enjoy the games, and keeps classical chess his priority.
- Carlsen argued AI tools have made chess more egalitarian and more boring by easing preparation, while Gukesh called AI mostly positive for faster learning despite tougher prep.
- Carlsen enters as the favorite and defending blitz champion in a field featuring Alireza Firouzja and a strong Indian contingent including R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, P. Harikrishna and Vidit Gujrathi, with Gukesh’s Norway Chess win over Carlsen as recent context.