Ignore the criticism, it comes with the territory: Vishwanathan Anand to Gukesh

Indian Grandmaster Gukesh makes history as youngest world champion, despite criticism from former champions and players.

Legendary chess player Viswanathan Anand on Friday (December 13, 2024) asked D. Gukesh to ignore those questioning the standard of the World Championship title showdown with China's Ding Liren, saying criticism always comes with success.

Indian Grandmaster Gukesh made history on Thursday, becoming the youngest-ever to win the world title defeating Liren in the 14th and final game of the championship in Singapore.

Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik was not impressed with the quality of chess on display during the match, calling it the "end of chess as we know it."

Mr. Kramnik expressed his frustration over the game's quality, calling a critical blunder by Ding Liren "childish".

In his reaction, Mr. Kramnik wrote on 'X', "No comment. Sad. End of chess as we know it."

In another tweet, he said, "Never yet has a WC title been decided by such a childish one-move blunder."

Five-time world champion, Norway's Magnus Carlsen too has been critical of the quality on display in earlier rounds, saying, "This does not look like a game between two World Championship contenders. It just looks like maybe the second round or third round of an open tournament."