D Gukesh, the reigning world chess champion, has openly addressed the criticism he has received regarding his recent performances, acknowledging that it is justified. He understands why former champions, including Magnus Carlsen and Anatoly Karpov, have questioned his form, especially after a series of inconsistent results since his title win in 2024. Gukesh finished 10th at the Tata Steel Chess tournament, ninth in Prague, and sixth at the Superbet Rapid & Blitz event in Poland. Despite the challenges, he remains focused on improving his game as he prepares for the upcoming Norway Chess tournament. Gukesh stated, 'They (critics) have the right to say what they feel and I have the right to do my best.' He also noted that defending his title will be more challenging due to heightened expectations. Reflecting on the sport's visibility, Gukesh mentioned that viral moments, like Carlsen's reaction to losing to him, help attract more attention to chess and promote the game globally.