

Gukesh’s win over Carlsen, a train to Aizawl, and Kannada language row
Jun 4, 2025
In this episode, Amit Kamath, a reporter for The Indian Express, celebrates Gukesh Dommaraju's stunning victory against Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess Tournament, unpacking the emotional intensity of the match and its implications for the chess world. Dheeraj Mishra joins to discuss the newly completed Bairabi-Sairang railway line, which connects Aizawl to India's national network and promises significant regional development. The conversation also touches on the controversy surrounding Kamal Haasan's remarks on the Kannada language.
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Gukesh's Landmark Classical Wins
- Gukesh's win over Carlsen shows his growth and silences doubts about his classical chess prowess.
- Beating both Carlsen and Arjun Ariyasi in classical formats marked key turning points in his career.
Grit Behind Gukesh's Win
- Gukesh adopted Carlsen's famous grinders' mindset by refusing to resign even in lost positions.
- This resilience helped him capitalize on Carlsen's rare mistake and win the game.
Carlsen's Complex Classical Chess View
- Carlsen's frustration reflects his diminishing interest in classical chess despite his dominance.
- His past criticism of Gukesh stems from high expectations rather than doubts about Gukesh's legitimacy as champion.