Fabiano Caruana, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, is known not only for his strong performances on the chessboard but also for his thoughtful insights about the game and its players. Recently, he made headlines with his comments about Dommaraju Gukesh, the young Indian grandmaster who became the world chess champion in 2024. Caruana’s words have sparked discussion in the chess community because they highlight the challenges of staying at the very top after winning the biggest title.
In a recent interview, Caruana said: “You can’t say that Gukesh is the clear No. 1 in the world right now… but that’s normal.” His statement reflects the reality that becoming world champion does not automatically mean dominating every tournament. Caruana pointed out that Gukesh has struggled to win major events since claiming the crown, which is not unusual for new champions.
Caruana compared Gukesh’s situation to Ding Liren, who also faced difficulties after winning the world title in 2023. However, he stressed that Gukesh’s case is not identical. While Ding’s form dropped sharply, Gukesh continues to play at a very high level, but without consistent tournament victories. Caruana’s comment was not meant as criticism but as a realistic observation about the pressures of being world champion.
Caruana’s words carry weight because he has been at the top himself. He challenged Magnus Carlsen for the world title in 2018 and has remained among the world’s elite for over a decade. His perspective shows that even the best players understand how difficult it is to balance the responsibilities of being champion with the need to keep winning.
For Gukesh, Caruana’s comment is a reminder that the journey does not end with the title. Staying number one requires constant improvement, mental strength, and success in regular tournaments. The chess world is watching closely to see how Gukesh responds to this challenge.
Fabiano Caruana’s recent comment about Gukesh highlights the reality of modern chess: winning the world championship is a huge achievement, but maintaining dominance is even harder. His honest words show respect for Gukesh’s talent while acknowledging the difficulties of proving oneself as the clear number one. As Caruana prepares for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, his insights remind fans that the battle for supremacy in chess is ongoing and never simple.
