Carlsen plays down significance of showdown against Gukesh at Norway Chess: 'I’m not motivated to play'

D Gukesh will face world No 1 Magnus Carlsen in the Classical format for the first time since being crowned the youngest world champion in the sport’s history in December. While the upcoming showdown might just be the biggest of the 18-year-old’s career, Carlsen has chosen to play down its significance.

D Gukesh has had a mixed run since being
crowned the youngest world champion in chess history
, finishing runner-up at the Tata Steel Chess before struggling to make a mark in back-to-back events in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. The 18-year-old narrowly missed out on his maiden Tata Steel Chess title after
losing to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa in the tie-breaks
in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.

As for Freestyle Chess,
Gukesh failed to win a single game
in the opening event in Germany’s Weissenhaus before finishing at the bottom of the standings in Paris last month. And in the ongoing Superbet Classic in Poland that’s part of the Grand Chess Tour, Gukesh finds himself joint seventh with 3.5 points after seven rounds.

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D Gukesh reveals why Freestyle Chess remains a challenge for him

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