WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2024

'I'm not part of the circus,' says Carlsen as Gukesh craves for title clash with World No.1

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen welcomed D Gukesh to the elite club of world champions, but has refused to be drawn into a title clash with Indian teenager. Gukesh defeated China's Ding Liren in a thrilling Game 14 of the World Chess Championship in Singapore on Thursday.

“It's an incredible achievement, first he was down in the FIDE circuit, won the tournament in Chennai on demand, then he had an amazing performance in the Candidates Tournament,” Carlsen said in his post-match analysis show on 'Take Take Take', an app he is co-promoting.

In his post-game press conference, Gukesh remained modest about his achievement. “Winning the World Chess Championship does not mean I am the best player. Obviously, that is Magnus Carlsen. I want to reach the level of Magnus has achieved,” Gukesh said.

The 18-year-old Indian said he would also enjoy playing a title match with Carlsen, should the Norwegian Super Grandmaster accept it. Carlsen has refused to compete for the World Chess Championship since winning it a fifth time in 2021. He has repeatedly claimed that he lacks motivation to play in the event.

“Obviously, playing against Magnus in the world championship would be amazing; it would be the toughest challenge there is in chess. It is up to Magnus, but I would love to test myself against the best player in the world,” Gukesh said.

Carlsen, aged 34, had a wry smile on his face when his co-hosts reminded him of Gukesh's remarks. “It's not gonna be me,” he said. “I'm not part of this circus anymore,” he added.

That said, Carlsen thinks Gukesh could now begin a great run that could even dethrone him from the summit of world rankings.

“I think he has accomplished a lot that puts him on that path. It is a really good thing that he has two years to defend his title.... winning this championship is extremely motivating, so there is a very good chance that he is going to go on a great run of results now. Maybe even start establishing himself as the No. 2 player in the world and who knows, maybe in the not too distant future, even No. 1. That whole thing will be extremely interesting to see,” Carlsen said.

Carlsen has been the top-ranked player in chess since reaching the summit in July 2011. With an Elo rating of 2831, he remains the best active player in the world. Gukesh, whose current rating is 2783, is ranked fifth in the world. His peak rating was 2794, attained in October this year, while Carlsen went as high as 2882 in August 2019, which is the highest in history.