Divya Delhi: The 19-year-old from Chennai, who claimed the World Chess Championship crown earlier this year by defeating China’s Ding Liren in the Classical format, is now setting his sights on playing more Classical tournaments in the latter half of 2025.As the global chess scene shifts rapidly towards faster formats and the growing popularity of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, reigning world champion D Gukesh remains firmly rooted in his commitment to Classical chess. The 19-year-old from Chennai, who claimed the World Chess Championship crown earlier this year by defeating China’s Ding Liren in the Classical format, is now setting his sights on playing more Classical tournaments in the latter half of 2025.Currently ranked world No.6, Gukesh stands out among his peers for staying loyal to the traditional format, even as many of his fellow Indian prodigies begin to lean towards speedier versions of the game. Notably, world No.4 R Praggnanandhaa, also from Chennai, made headlines recently by defeating world No.1 Magnus Carlsen during the Freestyle Chess Las Vegas Tour. After his triumph, the 19-year-old openly admitted his growing affection for the variant, stating, “I now like Freestyle more than Classical.”Another rising Indian star, Arjun Erigaisi, who holds the world No.5 spot, has also been making waves in quicker formats. He reached the semi-finals of the Blitz-format chess event at the Esports World Cup 2025, showcasing his versatility and comfort in the fast-paced landscape of modern chess.For Gukesh, the first half of 2025 saw relatively limited participation in Classical tournaments, largely due to his engagements in Freestyle and other hybrid formats. However, his few appearances were noteworthy. In January, he shared the top spot at the prestigious Tata Steel Chess 2025 before finishing second on tiebreaks, behind Praggnanandhaa. At the Norway Chess 2025 tournament, Gukesh celebrated a career milestone by registering his maiden Classical victory over Carlsen, eventually finishing third overall.