Chess Underdog Topples World Champion in Stunning Win

A chess player ranked 347 rating points below the reigning World Champion just proved that rankings don't always tell the whole story.

Sergey Sklokin, rated 2407, defeated World Chess Champion Gukesh (rated 2754) at the World Blitz Championship in Doha on December 29, 2025. The win shocked spectators and delighted chess fans who love seeing underdogs triumph against seemingly impossible odds.

Gukesh had been on a strong run despite a difficult 2025 season. He'd secured a convincing victory against chess legend Magnus Carlsen and tied for first at the prestigious Tata Steel Chess tournament just weeks before.

But Sklokin came prepared. The match showcased exactly the kind of tactical brilliance and strategic patience that makes chess so captivating.

International Master Robert Ris, who analyzed the game for his series "The Underdog," pointed out several key moments where Sklokin's careful planning paid off. The lower-rated player maintained composure through 80 moves, capitalizing on critical opportunities when they appeared.

The Bright Side

This victory highlights what makes competitive chess so inspiring. Unlike sports where physical advantages can determine outcomes, chess rewards preparation, creativity, and mental fortitude above all else.

Sklokin's win joins a growing collection of underdog stories that remind players at every level that improvement and study can close seemingly insurmountable gaps. The game has been studied by chess enthusiasts worldwide, offering lessons for anyone facing a stronger opponent.

For Sklokin, the victory represents career validation. Defeating a World Champion doesn't happen by accident—it requires countless hours of study, pattern recognition, and the courage to trust your preparation when facing someone the entire world expects to win.

The chess community has embraced the result as a reminder that the game's beauty lies in its unpredictability. Every player, regardless of rating, sits down to the same 64 squares with the same 16 pieces and the same chance to find the best moves.

Sklokin's triumph proves that dedication and belief in your abilities can help you compete with anyone, even a World Champion.