“I am at par with the world’s best,” says Abhimanyu Mishra after beating World Champion Gukesh at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025

Indian-origin American Grandmaster Abhimanyu Mishra became the youngest player to defeat a reigning world champion in a classical chess game, after he toppled India’s D Gukesh in Round 5 match at the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025.

Mishra believes this win, along with a draw against top seed R Praggnanandhaa in the fourth round, proves he is capable enough to mix with the best in the world.

“Going into this game, I didn’t think I was such a huge underdog. In my game against Pragg yesterday, I made some irrational decisions.

“But I feel like if I can control my nerves, I am at par with the world’s best. That’s what happened today, I was ready to go into a very, very sharp position,” said Mishra in an interview after beating Gukesh.

Mishra, who is also the youngest ever to become a GM, suggested that the win over Gukesh can set him on his way to title-clinching run at the Grand Swiss.

Abhimanyu Mishra in action against D Gukesh at the Grand Swiss.
| Photo Credit:
Michal Walusza

“Even though I won, it doesn’t feel as pleasing as my previous games in the tournament. It wasn’t a very clean game. 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 tournament. Yesterday too, I made some errors against Pragg. But I never felt like I was inferior to these players (Gukesh and Pragg). I think I am at par with them,” said Mishra.

Mishra is currently joint second in the standings, 0.5 points behind sole leader Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran.

On Tuesday, Mishra will take on Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum, who upset Praggnanandhaa in the fifth round.

Published on Sep 09, 2025