In sports, as in life, results often dictate perception. While discipline and consistency remain paramount, an erosion of confidence can trigger a steep slide where returning to the basics is the only viable remedy.
For reigning World Chess champion D Gukesh, the better part of the past 18 months has been turbulent. From holding the world No. 5 spot with a career-high rating of 2794, Gukesh plummeted out of the top 30 after his rating sank to 2703. With his world-title defence looming, whispers grew louder that the young champion was rapidly losing his aura among the chess elite.
