There was no table slam, no dramatic sigh, just a quiet handshake and a grimace. On Thursday in Zagreb, Magnus Carlsen resigned once again to Gukesh Dommaraju, this time in a rapid game at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2025.

It’s the second time in less than a month that the Indian teenager has defeated the five-time world champion. After his classical-format win over Carlsen at Norway Chess, Gukesh has now proved he can beat the Norwegian even in faster time controls, and with Carlsen playing white, no less.

With that win, Gukesh surged into sole lead at the end of Day 2 of the three-day rapid section, sitting at 10 points, two clear of Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda. Carlsen, meanwhile, is stuck on 6 points and well behind the leaders.

Not a fluke. Not a meltdown. Just better chess.

What makes this win even more significant is the context. Gukesh has never been seen as a strong rapid/blitz player, even Carlsen himself said so before the tournament began, calling Gukesh one of the “presumably weaker players” in the field.

But Gukesh’s performance in Zagreb is rewriting that narrative. After losing his opening game to Duda, the 18-year-old reeled off five straight wins, including victories over some of the best in the world: Alireza Firouzja, Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Fabiano Caruana, and then Carlsen.

Former world champion Garry Kasparov, on commentary, put it plainly:

“This is not just his second loss to Gukesh, it’s a convincing loss. It’s not a miracle or luck. Magnus was in a big fight, and he lost.”

Carlsen’s pre-tournament jab aged poorly

Carlsen had publicly questioned Gukesh’s readiness for rapid formats, saying:

“Gukesh hasn’t done anything to indicate that he’s going to do well. Players like Gukesh have a lot to prove.”

Safe to say, Gukesh is proving it. While Carlsen walked off without making eye contact after the 49-move defeat, Gukesh looked composed and focused as he moved closer to adding another major title to his fast-growing resume.

Time on his side

Interestingly, Gukesh, known for excelling in slower, classical formats, has been ahead on time even in the endgames during this tournament, including in matches against Carlsen and Caruana. That’s a stark contrast to his earlier blitz outings and signals his evolution into a more complete player.

Now heading into the final day of rapid play, Gukesh leads the standings and is firmly in control.

Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, were tragically killed in a car crash near Zamora in northwestern Spain, authorities confirmed on Thursday.

According to the Spanish Civil Guard, the accident occurred shortly after midnight on an isolated stretch of the A-52 highway, about an hour west of Zamora. The brothers were travelling in a Lamborghini when the vehicle veered off the road and caught fire. Investigators suspect a blown tire may have caused the driver to lose control. No other vehicles were involved.

Emergency services arrived at the scene to contain the blaze, which had also spread to nearby vegetation. The bodies were recovered and are undergoing forensic examination. It remains unclear who was driving.

The news has sent shockwaves across the football world. Jota, whose full name is Diogo Jose Teixeira da Silva, has made 182 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Wolves in 2020. He helped the club lift the Premier League title in May and had also won the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups during his time at Anfield.

Jota was a key player for the Portuguese national team, with 49 international caps and 14 goals, and was part of the squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

His younger brother, Andre Silva, played for Penafiel, a club in Portugal’s lower leagues.

The accident comes just weeks after Jota married his longtime partner Rute Cardoso on June 22. The couple had three young children. In a recent post, Jota had written: “Yes to forever.”

In a statement, Liverpool FC said:

“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. We request the privacy of Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they come to terms with an unimaginable loss.”

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) expressed its sorrow:

“We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.”

UEFA announced that a minute of silence will be observed at all Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday in honour of the players.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a teammate and close friend, shared a heartfelt message:

“It doesn’t make sense. We were just together with the national team, you had just gotten married. I send my condolences to your family and wish them strength. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”

Tributes continue to pour in from clubs, teammates, and fans around the world as the football community mourns the loss of two young lives and careers cut tragically short.

Afghan cricket sensation Rashid Khan has been named the new brand ambassador for Dubai-based MH Developers, a leading real estate firm making major strides in the emirate’s booming property sector.

The announcement comes at a time when Dubai’s real estate market is hitting new highs, with the first half of 2025 showing a 15% year-on-year rise in property prices and a 20% increase in transaction volumes, driven by strong investor confidence, economic stability, and world-class infrastructure.

Cricket and Construction Come Together

Known for his record-breaking feats on the pitch, including being the fastest bowler to reach 100 wickets in T20 internationals, Rashid Khan brings his global appeal and winning mindset to the real estate arena.

“The UAE has always been a second home for Afghan cricket, offering support and opportunity during difficult times,” said Khan. 

“This collaboration with MH Developers is a natural fit for me, professionally and personally, as it reflects shared values of resilience, growth, and building a better future.”

A Strategic Move by MH Developers

Murtaza Hashmi, CEO of MH Developers, said the partnership with Khan is part of a broader strategy to connect with new audiences and tap into Dubai’s rising profile as a global hub for luxury living and smart investment.

“Dubai offers a secure, well-regulated environment that continues to attract buyers and investors from around the world,” said Hashmi. 

“Rashid Khan’s international reputation and unwavering pursuit of excellence align perfectly with our mission to deliver top-tier real estate solutions during this exciting time for the market.”

What’s Next for MH Developers?

With this partnership in place, MH Developers plans to roll out signature projects that blend sophisticated design with solid investment potential, tailored to the modern lifestyle demands of Dubai’s growing resident and investor base.