Young Russian Defeats World Chess Champion in Doha
Despite being a considerable rating outsider, Sklokin—who holds the title of FIDE Master, two ranks below Grandmaster—managed to outplay his opponent in the fast-paced blitz format.
Blitz games are contested under a strict time control of three minutes per player, with an additional two seconds added per move, making both speed and precision vital.
The turning point came on move 70. With only eight seconds remaining on his clock, Gukesh declined a simple rook exchange that would have secured a draw. Choosing instead to keep the pieces in play, he miscalculated, allowing Sklokin to seize the advantage and force resignation ten moves later.
This victory marked Sklokin’s third consecutive win in the tournament, elevating him among the early leaders. The championship, structured under a Swiss system, spans 19 rounds and concludes on December 30.
Prior to the loss, Gukesh—celebrated as the youngest classical world champion in history but less renowned for his blitz skills—had remarked that he did not have a “lot of expectations” for the rapid and blitz events, explaining that his goal was to “experiment, enjoy and play chess with the aim of having fun.”
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