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Esipenko Defends World Champion Gukesh Amidst Recent Performance Dip: 'He Is Still Very...'

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Esipenko Defends Gukesh Amidst Poor Run: 'He is Still Very Young and Has Potential'

Russian GM Andrey Esipenko has defended D Gukesh amid the reigning world champion's extended lean patch. Image credit: FIDE

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Firstpost•29-03-2026, 20:05

Esipenko Defends Gukesh Amidst Poor Run: 'He is Still Very Young and Has Potential'

•Candidates 2026 participant Andrey Esipenko calls Gukesh Dommaraju a "real world champion" despite his recent struggles.
•Gukesh, the youngest world champion in chess history (2024), has faced a decline in performance across formats in 2025.
•He struggled in major tournaments like Sinquefield Cup, FIDE Grand Swiss, and FIDE World Cup, finishing joint-bottom in Prague.
•Esipenko emphasizes Gukesh's youth and potential, highlighting his incredible Candidates Tournament and Olympiad performance.
•Esipenko also commented on Ding Liren's absence from Classical tournaments, suggesting he's recovering from his 2024 defeat to Gukesh.

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