It’s been a turbulent year on the throne for the youngest world champion in chess history. Tournaments were plentiful, but success elusive as Gukesh Dommaraju broadened his focus from classical chess to playing in rapid and blitz events, freestyle chess and exhibition events as well in 2025. Each defeat for the world champion at events like the FIDE World Cup and the FIDED Grand Swiss would set tongues wagging with unprecedented scrutiny on his form. For Gukesh, 2026 will mean a chance to narrow his focus once more to classical chess since he will have to defend his world championship title at the end of the year. As the youngest world champion in history gears up to start his 2026 at the Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee, The Indian Express caught up with his coach from the past three years, Grzegorz Gajewski, to talk about the 19-year-old’s 2025 and what awaits in 2026. Excerpts from an interview: Question: After the year that Gukesh has had in 2025, what will he focus on …