Winning the first game in any event is quite satisfactory, but when it happens after a series of defeats, it becomes even more enjoyable. Dommaraju Gukesh, the reigning World Champion, was clearly elated after securing his first match victory in Season 3 of the Global Chess League at the Royal Opera House on Thursday.
Gukesh Delivers for PBG Alaskan Knights
Gukesh, alongside compatriot Arjun Erigaisi, delivered in a must-win situation, helping PBG Alaskan Knights achieve their first win of the tournament. With Gukesh winning his initial game, the last edition’s runners-up, the Alaskan Knights, triumphed over Alpine SG Pipers.
The reigning World Champion Gukesh, who had faced challenges in the tournament so far, executed a clinical finish to defeat Fabiano Caruana in 39 moves. Leinier Dominguez also bested R Praggnanandhaa, and Kateryna Lagno overcame Hou Yifan to complete the scoreline.
Post-Match Reactions
Reflecting on his first win in the GCL, Gukesh remarked, “It’s a very special feeling to get my first win. From the start, we felt we were in control, but towards the end, a few things became tricky. When I looked at the other boards, Dominguez’s game seemed around even, maybe slightly better for him, so I knew I had to push for a win. By then, I already had good chances, and my opponent was running low on them.”
Discussing his game against Caruana, Gukesh noted, “The position was more or less even. He was fine out of the opening, but there was always some tension. At some point, he couldn’t find a clear plan, and I started getting a lot of play.”
Time to Relax
After the intense match, Gukesh and his teammates enjoyed their time at Marine Drive, taking a relaxing walk to unwind after a tough day. “After a tough day, it was nice to just forget about chess for a while. We went out together as a team and reminded ourselves that we win and lose as a group. We spoke about different things, relaxed, and I genuinely had a lot of fun,” he shared during his post-win media interaction.
Handling Pressure
On the pressure faced during crucial moments, Gukesh said, “It actually made things easier. I just had to play fast, and the position almost played itself. Winning in a clutch moment always feels nice, even if it wasn’t the toughest challenge.”
Gukesh also appreciated the crowd support at the Royal Opera House, remarking, “I was pointing to the audience. The cheering today was incredibly loud—louder than any other day so far. Seeing so many kids in the crowd really motivated me. I felt I couldn’t afford to play below my level.”
He added that the venue was packed because many local coaches brought in their students. “A lot of coaches had come with their students from different academies. Before the game, Arjun and I even joked that since so many people were here, it was time to start winning,” he concluded.