The chess world witnessed a seismic shift this week, not from a seasoned grandmaster, but from a 12-year-old boy. Sergey Sklokin, a name previously known only to keen insiders, has erupted onto the global stage by achieving the unthinkable: defeating the reigning World Chess Champion, D. Gukesh, at the FIDE World Blitz Championship 2025 in Doha.
The Historic Match That Shook the Chess World
This was no lucky accident. The stunning upset occurred during the third round of the prestigious World Blitz Championship. Playing with the white pieces, the young Sklokin demonstrated nerves of steel, methodically steering the game into complex territory. He expertly pushed Gukesh into severe time pressure, a classic tactic in fast-paced blitz chess. The climax came on move 70, when the reigning champion, scrambling against the clock, committed a critical error. Just ten moves later, with his position irreparably lost, Gukesh was forced to resign.
The image was powerful and symbolic: a pre-teen calmly outmaneuvering one of the planet's best players on one of its biggest stages. The victory was made even more remarkable by the rating gap. Gukesh entered the match with a formidable blitz rating of 2628, while Sklokin was rated approximately 2400. On paper, it was a mismatch. On the board, the prodigy rewrote the script.
Who Is Sergey Sklokin? The Prodigy's Formidable Record
This victory was not a one-off fluke but a milestone in a rapidly ascending career. Born in 2013, Sergey Sklokin already holds the title of FIDE Master (FM), which he earned in 2024. He represents the FIDE Federation and is of Armenian-Russian heritage.
His resume is staggering for his age. In 2023, he became a triple World Champion in the Under-10 category, securing titles in:
- Blitz
- Rapid
- Chess composition
That same year, he entered the record books as one of the youngest players ever to defeat a Grandmaster in classical chess. His online conquests include victories over elite players like Hikaru Nakamura. His talent was formally recognized when he was selected as one of only 13 children globally for the FIDE Chessable Academy's in-person camp, receiving mentorship from legends such as Judit Polgar and Artur Yusupov.
His performance in Doha extended beyond the single win against Gukesh. At the concurrent World Rapid Championship, Sklokin finished 90th but gained a massive 226.4 rating points, the highest increase of any player in the Open category—a clear signal of his explosive potential.
Calm, Composed, and Destined for Greatness
What truly distinguishes Sklokin is his preternatural composure. During the critical endgame against Gukesh, with both players down to mere seconds, the 12-year-old did not panic or rush. He coolly offered a rook exchange to simplify into a winning position. When Gukesh declined, Sklokin precisely punished the decision. This level of patience and strategic clarity is a rare commodity, even among adult elite players.
While blitz chess is inherently volatile, Sklokin's win was a masterclass in controlled aggression and endurance. He didn't just get lucky; he systematically outlasted a world champion. Moments like these on the global stage are where legends find their beginning. The chess world has been put on notice: Sergey Sklokin is a name destined to be heard for years to come. For those just discovering him now, you are witnessing the start of something extraordinary.
