Gukesh’s coach Grzegorz Gajewski explains how world champion solved Magnus Carlsen, Arjun Erigaisi puzzles

As D. Gukesh gears up for the World Chess Championship, his coach Grzegorz Gajewski has offered rare insights into the young prodigy’s preparation strategies. In a recent interaction, Gajewski detailed how Gukesh tackled high-level tactical puzzles based on games by Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi — a crucial part of his mental sharpening. The behind-the-scenes glimpse reflects how calculated training is shaping India’s rising chess star.

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Tactical Training Grounded in Real-World Champions

Grzegorz Gajewski, a seasoned Polish Grandmaster and long-time second of Viswanathan Anand, revealed that Gukesh’s prep involves solving puzzles modeled on top-level games.

The coach shared that specific positions from former world champion Magnus Carlsen and top Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi’s games were selected to test Gukesh’s positional understanding and calculation speed.

These puzzles weren’t random — they were tailored to reflect real tournament complexities, forcing the teen to push beyond textbook tactics.

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Gukesh’s Mindset: Precision Under Pressure

According to Gajewski, what sets Gukesh apart is his calm, methodical mindset. He doesn’t rush through puzzles, even when they resemble blitz-time scenarios.

Instead, he patiently examines every variation — a style reminiscent of Carlsen himself. The ability to maintain clarity under time constraints and psychological pressure is a skill Gukesh is rapidly mastering, thanks in part to such targeted puzzle-solving drills.

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The Role of Indian Chess Growth in Gukesh’s Rise

India’s chess boom, especially in cities like Chennai, Nagpur, and Surat, has laid the foundation for players like Gukesh to emerge on the global stage. With infrastructure, mentorship, and competition improving across Tier 2 cities, the support system for young talents is stronger than ever.

Gukesh, despite his youth, represents this new wave — confident, well-coached, and battle-tested.

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Arjun Erigaisi: A Rival and an Inspiration

Interestingly, one of the puzzle sources — Arjun Erigaisi — is also among Gukesh’s closest competitors. The two have faced off multiple times, both vying for top national and international honours.

Gajewski noted that using Arjun’s games helped Gukesh prepare not only tactically, but psychologically, anticipating familiar styles and strengths.

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Conclusion: A Coach’s Clarity and a Champion’s Drive

With the World Championship on the horizon, Gukesh’s preparation under Grzegorz Gajewski reflects a blend of science and instinct — combining data-driven problem-solving with the mental toughness of elite-level chess.

As Gajewski continues to sharpen his student with insights drawn from the best, Indian chess fans, particularly in emerging hubs, have more reason than ever to rally behind their young champion.