In a historic upset at the FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, 16-year-old Abhimanyu Mishra defeated reigning world champion D Gukesh, becoming the youngest ever to beat a sitting world champion in classical chess.
A Historic Upset in Samarkand
In a stunning turn of events at the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 16-year-old chess prodigy Abhimanyu Mishra toppled reigning world champion D Gukesh, 19, in a gripping 61-move encounter. Playing with the black pieces, Mishra’s victory has drawn praise as one of the most remarkable upsets in modern chess history.
This win not only underlined Mishra’s exceptional tactical depth but also firmly etched his name into the history books as the youngest player to defeat a reigning world champion in classical chess. Moreover, the record—previously held by Grandmaster Gata Kamsky for 33 years—now proudly belongs to the Indian-origin teenager from New Jersey.
Key Highlights
- Historic win: Abhimanyu Mishra, 16, defeats world champion D Gukesh at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025.
- Record broken: Becomes the youngest player in history to beat a reigning world champion in classical chess.
- Prodigy’s rise: Mishra started playing chess at the age of 2 and became the youngest Grandmaster in history at just 12 years old in 2021.
- Match details: Playing black, Mishra triumphed over Gukesh in 61 moves.
Abhimanyu Mishra: A Record-Breaking Prodigy
Abhimanyu Mishra’s chess journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Born to Indian-origin parents in New Jersey, he was introduced to chess at just two years old. His natural flair for the game quickly became evident, setting him on a fast track to global recognition.
In June 2021, Mishra became the world’s youngest Grandmaster at the age of 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days, surpassing Sergey Karjakin’s long-standing record. Since The international chess community has closely followed his career, and his latest triumph against Gukesh now firmly cements him as one of the brightest young stars in the game.
The Match That Shook the Chess World
Facing Gukesh, who last year created history by becoming the youngest world champion in chess history, Mishra remained calm under pressure. Over the course of 61 moves, he displayed maturity beyond his years, navigating complex middle-game positions with precision and converting his advantage in the endgame with clinical accuracy.
The victory sent shockwaves through the tournament hall and beyond, with analysts already calling it a defining moment in Mishra’s career.
What This Means for Chess
Mishra’s victory is more than just a personal achievement; it represents a new wave of rising stars redefining the game of chess. Moreover, his historic win signals a generational shift, as teenagers are now not only competing but also defeating reigning champions on the grand stage.
As the FIDE Grand Swiss continues, all eyes remain on Mishra to see how far he can go. For now, however, the chess world celebrates a record-breaking performance that will remain unforgettable for years to come.