In a shocking turn of events at the FIDE World Blitz Championship 2025, World Champion D. Gukesh was defeated by a 12-year-old prodigy, Sergei Slokin, who has yet to earn his Grandmaster title.
Gukesh Falls to 12-Year-Old Sensation
The match took place in the third round of the tournament. Despite being the overwhelming favorite, Gukesh succumbed under intense time pressure, making a crucial error that cost him the game.
Gukesh, a super Grandmaster with a Blitz rating of 2628 and a classical rating above 2750, was heavily favored against Slokin, whose rating is around 2400 and holds the FIDE Master title, two levels below a Grandmaster. The rating gap between them was 228 points, highlighting the magnitude of the upset.
The Critical Moment
The game reached a decisive point on move 70, where time became the most significant factor. Playing with the black pieces, Gukesh had only 8 seconds left, while Slokin had approximately 13 seconds.
Slokin proposed a rook exchange that could have led to a draw, despite being a pawn behind. However, Gukesh opted for a risky move, 70. Rf4, attempting to maintain his winning chances.
This decision proved costly. Slokin skillfully capitalized on the opportunity, winning a bishop shortly after. Gukesh was left with no pawns to fight, and within ten moves, he conceded defeat.
About the Young Prodigy
Sergei Slokin, born in 2013, is of half-Armenian, half-Russian descent and competes under the FIDE flag, not representing any particular country. Previously, he participated in the World Rapid Championship, finishing 90th while earning 226.4 rating points, the highest gain in the open category.
Slokin’s remarkable victory against the reigning World Champion demonstrates the emerging talent in global chess, proving that age and title gaps do not always predict outcomes in the high-speed, strategic world of blitz chess.
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