Who is he, how does he do it? Chess commentators stunned by Gukesh's calmness under pressure

In a gripping quarter-final match of the Freestyle Chess event in Weissenhaus, Germany, World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju faced off against the World No. 2, Fabiano Caruana. The tension of the game was palpable as Gukesh found himself with less than a minute on the clock, while Caruana had 35 seconds more. Despite the mounting pressure, Gukesh remained remarkably calm, his heart rate steady at 78 beats per minute (BPM). In stark contrast, Caruana’s heart raced at 124 BPM, highlighting the immense tension of the game.

Gukesh’s ability to maintain composure in such high-stress moments stood out right from the start. As the game progressed, Gukesh’s heart rate stayed within the 61-62 BPM range, while Caruana's climbed above 80 BPM. Chess.com commentator Peter Leko, visibly astounded by Gukesh’s focus, exclaimed, “How does he do it? Who is he?” Co-commentator Judit Polgar, in response, chuckled, and Leko added, “Now we know why he's the world champion.” This exchange, captured on Chess.com’s official commentary, has since gone viral, highlighting Gukesh’s exceptional mental strength in intense moments.

Heart rate monitoring

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam introduced an innovative twist by equipping players with heart rate monitors. This allowed viewers to observe the physiological responses of grandmasters in real-time. The heart rate data revealed Gukesh’s extraordinary ability to stay calm, even under extreme pressure, as his heart rate remained virtually unchanged throughout the match. His remarkable ability to control his stress levels during critical moments has led to comparisons with Magnus Carlsen, the former World Champion, who is also renowned for his intense focus during high-stakes games.

The ability to manage one’s heart rate in such tense situations is not only a testament to Gukesh’s mental fortitude but also plays a significant role in achieving success at the highest levels of competitive chess. His composure in the face of immense pressure may well be one of the factors contributing to his success and status as a World Champion.