Overview
- At Norway Chess he finished last in the six-player field, scoring one classical win and suffering four defeats including a final-round loss to Magnus Carlsen, and his live rating fell out of the world top 10.
- Gukesh told reporters he is struggling with motivation and managing expectations after becoming the youngest undisputed world champion, and that this has made it hard to enjoy chess.
- He said over-ambition has led him to force complications in games and cost him results, and he is working to regain discipline and objectivity on the board.
- Gukesh is continuing work with mental-conditioning coach Paddy Upton and is refocusing on learning and having fun as part of a plan to rebuild form.
- With a title defence against Javokhir Sindarov scheduled later this year, his recovery will be measured by short-term rating moves and tournament results as well as visible gains in his mental approach.