Fabiano Caruana Eliminates World Champion Gukesh in Freestyle Chess Quarterfinals

Gukesh's struggles in the new format continue as Caruana advances with a 2-0 victory in Weissenhaus.

Fabiano Caruana defeated reigning world champion D Gukesh in the quarterfinals of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Weissenhaus, Germany, with a 2-0 scoreline.
Gukesh, known for his classical chess prowess, struggled with the randomized starting positions and rapid gameplay of the freestyle format, which limits pre-game preparation.
Caruana's precise play, including a 97% accuracy in the second game, capitalized on Gukesh's errors, forcing the 18-year-old to resign early in the decisive match.
Gukesh will now compete for 5th-8th place in the tournament, with his next opponent to be determined by the outcome of other quarterfinal matches.
The event also saw a temporary resolution to the ongoing Freestyle Chess vs. FIDE controversy, with players agreeing to crown a 'Freestyle Chess Champion' without FIDE's official recognition.