Overview

• During live commentary, Kasparov said Gukesh "won fair and square" yet "you can hardly call him the strongest player in the world," asserting Magnus Carlsen remains superior.
• Kasparov apologized for the tone of his remarks but maintained that Gukesh’s crown is "not exactly" the same as titles held by past champions.
• His comments aired during the Sinquefield Cup’s fifth round as Gukesh drew with Jan‑Krzysztof Duda.
• Susan Polgar defended Gukesh on X, calling him a "DESERVING World Classical Champion" and noting it was not his fault Carlsen left the title cycle in 2023.
• Gukesh became the youngest classical world champion at 18 by defeating Ding Liren in Singapore and has since beaten Carlsen in classical at Norway Chess and in rapid at Zagreb.