Wesley So criticized the Chess World Cup format, expressing his dissatisfaction with the current system.
## What happened at the Chess World Cup?
Wesley So had a difficult time in Goa, crashing out in the early stages of elimination, which affected his FIDE rankings, currently standing at 11th.
He slipped out of the top ten after the tournament.
The 32-year-old is now focusing on the Global Chess League in Mumbai.
## Why it matters for Wesley So
So felt that he would take a different route in the future to qualify for the Candidates, given his past experiences with the World Cup format.
He backed Ian Nepomniachtchi's criticism of the World Cup conditions in Goa, calling it "valid".
The World Cup format changed in 2021, making it more challenging for players like Wesley So.
## What comes next for Wesley So?
Wesley So is enjoying his time in Mumbai, playing for the hometown team, and appreciates the team's CEO, Mr Suhail Chandok, and captain, Pentala Harikrishna.
He had a wonderful time at the Global Chess League and would be happy to return.
Wesley So increased his rating a little bit and won some nice events this year, despite the disappointing World Cup performance.
## D Gukesh's World Championship title defense
Wesley So thinks D Gukesh has a good chance of defending his title, given his young age and potential for improvement.
Gukesh's rating was around 2794, and with preparation, mental toughness, and motivation, he can bounce back to that level.
Wesley So believes Gukesh can get back to his best chess with the help of his coaches and experienced people around him.
And Wesley So is looking forward to his upcoming events, aiming to learn from his past experiences.
But for now, he is focused on the Global Chess League and his performance in Mumbai.
So is currently 11th in the FIDE rankings, as of the latest update.