Magnus Carlsen Steps Away, Gukesh Hits Career-High & Nakamura Wins Big! - Episode 12

Female Host

Hey everyone, welcome back to Chess Times – the show where we bring you all the latest updates from the chess world! Today, we've got a packed episode, and you won't wanna miss this!

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Absolutely, from breathtaking tournaments to surprising shifts in player rankings, and some truly game-changing announcements, we’ve got it all lined up for you.

Female Host

It’s been a busy week, to say the least! And honestly, I think this might be one of the most exciting episodes we’ve ever done. So, let’s just jump right into it!

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Yes, let’s dive right in.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Alright, diving straight in, we’re starting with some massive news from the chess world. Magnus Carlsen has informed that he is not interested in becoming a word champion again.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Whoa, I mean, that’s massive.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Yes, you’re right. Magnus seems very intentional about where he's placing his focus—rapid and free style formats are clearly taking precedence for him.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

And honestly, I get it. Those formats have just exploded in popularity lately. Like, streaming platforms are all over them. It’s fast, it’s intense, and it totally appeals to a younger crowd.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Exactly. It’s hard to deny how much rapid and free format chess has impacted the global scene. Players like Magnus thrive in that environment—it’s dynamic and demands incredible adaptability. For someone like Magnus, who’s already climbed the highest peaks, this shift probably feels like, uh, the next big frontier.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Speaking of how chess formats are evolving, He absolutely crushed it! Such an insane display of speed and precision, wouldn’t you say?

Female Host

Oh, totally! I mean, Hikaru's like, just in his element with bullet. The speed, the precision—it’s wild watching him play. And honestly, I feel like he’s on fire lately.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

He really is. And speaking of being on fire, Gukesh Dommaraju has just hit a career-high third place in the FIDE World rankings. Can we take a moment for that? Third place—this is monumental.

Female Host

Right? Gukesh is, what, still in his teens? That kind of achievement at his age is just... like, wow, it’s unheard of. He’s clearly not just talented but also insanely determined.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Exactly. And what’s intriguing about this is how it reflects just how competitive the chess scene has become. It’s not just the veterans holding strong—these younger players are stepping up in unprecedented ways.

Female Host

And it’s not stopping there! Ding Liren still holds the lead in the FIDE Circuit 2025, but here’s the fun part—Praggnanandhaa is inching insanely close in the race with him. I mean, it’s a serious showdown.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Yeah, the competition is really heating up. Ding versus Pragg? That’s shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested races we’ve seen in years.

Female Host

Seriously. It’s like every week the chess world gives us another headline—or ten—to keep up with. I love it.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

And the energy, the passion... it’s just electrifying to see where chess is headed right now.

Female Host

Speaking of chess making waves everywhere, did you hear about the push to get it recognized as an official sport in schools across NYC? That’s such a big step forward!

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

It really is. Chess has always been known for its educational benefits—critical thinking, problem-solving, patience. But having it formally acknowledged as a school sport? That gives it a whole new level of legitimacy and visibility.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Speaking of this momentum in the chess world, the American Cup 2025 has just wrapped up in Missouri. This major six-day event is always a big highlight for American chess.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Right! And this year, wow, there were some seriously epic matchups. Caruana facing off with Nakamura? Plus Alice Lee against Abrahamyan? Phew, what a lineup.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Absolutely. And it was Hikaru Nakamura who came out on top in the Champions Final. He just edged past Fabiano Caruana 2.5 to 1.5 in the blitz tiebreaks to claim victory. I guess it’s fair to say fast time controls are where Hikaru really shines, huh?

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Oh, no question. I mean, he’s just built for that format—so quick, so precise. And the $15,000 bonus for the win isn’t exactly a bad day at the office, either!

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Not at all. Hikaru’s performance really reinforces just how dominant he’s become in these formats. And over in the Women’s Champions Final, drama reached a peak when IM Alice Lee managed an incredible escape from a completely lost endgame against WGM Tatev Abrahamyan.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Oh, that was wild! Like, genuinely, I thought it was over for Alice. But she avoided tiebreaks, took the champion’s title, and walked away with a $9,000 bonus. Incredible resilience from her.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

It really was. And while those finals took the spotlight, the Elimination Bracket kept things electric too. GM Levon Aronian and GM Irina Krush, well, they both pulled off incredible comeback victories. Aronian defeated Sam Sevian, and Krush knocked out IM Nazi Paikidze—both winning their matches 2-0 after some stunning first-game swindles.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Fighting spirit at its best, huh? The American Cup always delivers those nail-biting moments, and this year’s no exception.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Exactly. And with the Grand Final still ahead, the excitement isn’t over yet.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

With all the thrills of the American Cup behind us, let’s shift our focus to Europe. The Romanian Chess Federation has been announced as the host for the 2025 European Chess Championship.

Female Host

That’s gonna be huge! Over 400 players competing... and let’s not forget the prize money and those 20 coveted qualifying spots.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Indeed, it’s shaping up to be one of the marquee chess events of the year. European Championships always bring out, uh, the best of the best, and knowing Romania’s vibrant chess culture, the organization and setup should be fantastic.

Female Host

And it’s not just about the competition, right? These events kinda double as a chess hub. Players from different countries sharing the same space—that’s like, innovation central for opening prep and strategy ideas.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Totally! And, I mean, how exciting is it that chess is becoming this truly global sport? At an event like this, you can feel the cultural diversity—it’s like the UN, but for chessboards.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Well put! It's a celebration, really, of everything chess has to offer—skill, creativity, and connection. And Romania, with its deep chess history, feels like such a fitting host.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

It’s gonna be epic to watch.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

From one thrilling chess event to another, let’s turn our attention to the Cyprus Women’s Grand Prix. Over in Nicosia, Anna Muzychuk has just extended her winning streak to three games! She’s really dominating right now and is comfortably leading the tournament.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

That’s so impressive. And it’s not like she’s breezing through a weak field or anything. We’re talking about some of the absolute top players in the world here. It’s such a tightly contested event.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

From the intense battles of the chessboard to celebrating a legacy, we want to take a moment to honor a truly remarkable figure in the chess world—Oscar Panno, who has just turned 90 years old!

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Wow, 90 years! That’s, like, absolutely amazing. And he

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Panno’s life and career are a testament to enduring passion and dedication to the game. Celebrating his 90th birthday is more than just marking a milestone—it’s honoring a legacy that has inspired countless players worldwide.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

What an incredible legacy to celebrate! From honoring Oscar Panno to catching up on Magnus Carlsen’s big decision, Hikaru Nakamura’s blitz brilliance, and Gukesh shaking up the rankings, today’s episode showcases the diversity of chess excellence.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Yes, and let’s not forget celebrating the incredible legacy of Oscar Panno or discussing the rising excitement in tournaments like the Cyprus Women’s Grand Prix and the dynamic European Chess Championship ahead. It’s an amazing time to be a chess fan.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Seriously, I can't wait to see what the chess world throws at us next. It just keeps surprising us, week after week.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Absolutely. And to all our listeners, thank you for joining us today at Chess Times Podcast. Your passion for chess is what makes this all worthwhile.

Indian actor, inspired by the memory of his dog

Yeah, thanks for tuning in, everyone! And remember, stay sharp out there, on and off the board.