Overview
- The 19-year-old withdrew from the Tata Steel Rapid and Blitz in Kolkata and will begin his year at the classical Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee on Saturday.
- Coach Grzegorz Gajewski says they will play fewer events in 2026, prioritizing key tournaments while skipping exhibitions and online competitions.
- The stated chess priorities for the season are patience and confidence as preparations build toward his world championship defense later in the year.
- Gajewski links parts of 2025’s struggles to trying too hard and says Gukesh is improving at handling pressure and bouncing back during events.
- The youngest world champion is described as maturing, largely ignoring outside criticism after a busy, inconsistent 2025.