India, March 12 -- Chess legend Judit Polgar feels that D Gukesh won't be able to successfully defend his World Championship title this year. Since becoming world champion in December 2024, Gukesh has failed to win a title and has been experiencing a huge dip in form this year.

The winner of the upcoming Candidates 2026 will decide the challenger to face Gukesh later this year. Polgar feels that the Candidates winner will defeat Gukesh to become the next world champion.

Speaking to The Indian Express, she said, "There is a very, very big question mark whether Gukesh can stay the world champion (at the end of this year)."

"I'm sure Gukesh has a great future, but I'm not sure he's going to be world champion after the next world champions...