Indian chess sensation Gukesh D has recently struggled in blitz tournaments, exhibiting a stark preference for the strategic serenity of classical chess over the frantic pace of blitz. His latest encounter with Polish grandmaster Jan-Krzysztof Duda in Katowice only magnified these challenges.

In blitz matches, each player has just three minutes on their clock, with a two-second increment per move, which can lead to high-stress scenarios and costly mistakes. This was evident in their fifth game where Gukesh, starting from an even position, fell into a catastrophic blunder. Instead of making a defensive move to keep pressure on Duda's rook, Gukesh inadvertently moved his king poorly, leading to a swift checkmate.

Chess legend Susan Polgar weighed in on Gukesh's misstep via social media, warning that his approach to blitz and rapid games needs to evolve to prepare for future World Championship defenses. She emphasized, "The mindset for rapid and blitz must differ from classical chess; understanding the nuances of faster time controls is essential. Time management can be as crucial as tactical awareness in these formats."

Gukesh's woes didn’t end with this blunder; he also faced losses due to time trouble in earlier games, illustrating the uphill battle he has in adapting to the high-speed blitz format.

Looking ahead, Gukesh will soon fly to the United States, where he is set to represent India solo at the prestigious Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament starting on August 11. Will he refine his skills and triumph against the clock? Only time will tell!