American prodigy Abhimanyu Mishra created history on Monday by becoming the youngest player ever to defeat a reigning world champion in a game of classical chess, overcoming India’s D Gukesh in round five of the FIDE Grand Swiss.
The 16-year-old, already known as the youngest player to beat a grandmaster, outplayed Gukesh in an Italian opening that turned complex after the champion’s 12th move push of the g pawn. Mishra sacrificed a piece in the early middle game, leaving Gukesh struggling to find precise defensive resources.
Though the world champion escaped the initial attack, he faltered in the endgame as Mishra pressed on relentlessly, sealing victory after 61 moves. “Even though I won, it doesn’t feel as pleasing as my previous games in the tournament. It wasn’t a very clean game,” Mishra told FIDE. “But the tournament is going better than I could have possibly imagined. If I keep up this form I have a very real chance of winning.”
The landmark result is being hailed as the biggest win of Mishra’s career, underlining his rapid rise in elite chess circles.
It was a difficult day for another Indian star, R Praggnanandhaa, who suffered an upset defeat against Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum. Playing with black against a Queen’s pawn opening, Praggnanandhaa held balance for much of the game but erred in a minor piece endgame. Bluebaum capitalized on the mistake to win in 55 moves.
The Grand Swiss continues to test some of the world’s brightest young talents, with Mishra’s historic triumph setting the tone for an intensely competitive tournament.
