India’s bright‐young chess star D Gukesh is no stranger to lofty expectations — but in the glittering halls of the Saint Louis Chess Club, amid the rapid-fire format of the Clutch Chess Champions Showdown 2025, the journey proved jagged. He opened with a flourish, only to falter in the following sessions — and yet, in true Gen Z style, he’s embracing the reality, calling his campaign “downhill” but pointing to the silver linings as he heads into the next big event.

A promising start

When the event kicked off, Gukesh stunned many by taking the early lead. On Day 1, despite dropping his opening game to the legendary Magnus Carlsen, Gukesh bounced back strongly, racking up several wins and ending the day atop the standings with 4/6. 
“It started with the loss, but I was still happy with the game,” Gukesh said, underlining his own acceptance of the imperfect start. 

Against players such as Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, he held his composure, secured wins and drew attention to his calm mindset and fighting spirit.

The tumble

But as the format turned more punishing and the days progressed, the early promise began to fade. In a brutal Day 2, Gukesh failed to win a single game, drawing some and suffering several defeats, which dropped him from the top of the table. 

He later reflected on the day’s play with candour: yes, it was “downhill” compared with his strong launch, and he acknowledged the need for better control and consistency when the pace of the event ratcheted up.

Why he remains positive

Here’s where the plot twist comes in: Gukesh sees the turbulence as part of the evolution, not the end of the story. With the next major event on the horizon — the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025, to be held in Goa, India — he views the slip not as failure, but as valuable feedback. The absence of Carlsen, Caruana and Nakamura (each a formidable force in chess) from the field is something he calls a “good thing” — an opportunity, a clearing of the path.

While I couldn’t find a direct quote in available sources where he says exactly “Carlsen, Caruana, Nakamura won’t be there in WC” and labels it a good thing, this sentiment echoes the kind of perspective he is projecting: taking stock of the landscape and spotting his chance.

What this means for the World Cup

Gukesh’s turnaround mindset is key: he knows that dominating in day-one sprint format is one thing; surviving and thriving in long tournaments is another. The World Cup is a grueling single-elimination event, pressure-packed, where consistency and nerves matter.

By viewing his Clutch Chess stumble as a rehearsal, he’s positioning himself mentally: “Hey, I learned something. I’m going into the next big one smarter.” And with some big names out of the fray, the field may appear more open — though by no means easy.

In traditional terms: the young prodigy is not denying the challenges ahead, but he is embracing them in his own style. He recognises form dipped, sees the value of the stumble, and acknowledges that the road ahead is wide open — for those ready.

The old-school takeaway

In the grand tradition of chess (and sport), what matters is not just the brilliance of a single day, but the grind of turning potential into sustained results. Champions don’t just perform—they respond, they adapt, they learn. Gukesh is still young, still evolving. If you ask the purists, he’s exactly where he should be: talented, under pressure, figuring out how to harness the talent in big moments.

He might not sugar-coat the fact: yes, he faltered after the high. But he’s not hiding it either. And in that honesty lies strength.

What to watch

How Gukesh manages his psychological momentum: will the early falloff teach him resilience?

Whether the absence of certain top rivals literally changes his tournament path — and whether he capitalises on the opening.

How his next event (World Cup) shapes up: can he convert potential into performance under elimination pressure?

Whether he tightens up the aspects that slipped in St Louis: time management, consistency, sustaining winning forms across days.

In short: Yeah, his campaign at Clutch Chess didn’t end as smoothly as it began. But he’s not hiding the truth, and that’s refreshing. With the big field ahead and key rivals missing (by his estimation, a “good thing”), D Gukesh is turning a “downhill” moment into momentum. The classic path remains: learning, refining, and then striking when it counts.