Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov has stirred debate in the chess community after downplaying Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh’s recent World Championship victory. Kasparov remarked that while the 18-year-old’s achievement was impressive, “you can hardly call Gukesh the strongest player in the world,” pointing to the absence of Magnus Carlsen and other top names in the title race.

Gukesh, who became the youngest-ever classical world champion earlier this month, defeated China’s Ding Liren to claim the crown. His win was hailed in India as a historic moment for the country’s growing chess culture. However, Kasparov suggested that the current championship cycle does not fully reflect the sport’s competitive hierarchy.

“Gukesh is talented and deserves credit, but the structure of the championship means we’re not truly seeing the best player at the top,” Kasparov told an international media outlet. His comments have triggered mixed reactions online, with some defending the teenager’s accomplishment as legitimate and others agreeing that the world title lacks weight without Carlsen’s participation.

Indian chess officials and fans expressed disappointment at the remarks, saying Kasparov’s statement undermines the hard work and consistency Gukesh displayed throughout the tournament. “Every champion wins under the existing rules. Gukesh earned this,” one federation member said.

The debate reflects a wider discussion in global chess over whether reforms are needed in the World Championship format to ensure participation from all top-ranked players.