The second round of the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 saw Indian players experiencing a mix of strong performances and hard-fought draws. Of the 17 Indians in action, 13 were held to draws, highlighting the intense competition at the prestigious event.
World champion D Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gujrathi were among those whose games ended in stalemate, while other top performers managed decisive victories. Arjun Erigaisi delivered a commanding win against Bulgaria’s Martin Petrov, forcing resignation after just 37 moves, capitalizing on his opponent’s errors and securing a clear advantage. Similarly, world junior champion Pranav V triumphed over Norwegian grandmaster Aryan Tari, a notable result given Tari’s standing as one of Norway’s top-rated players.
Vidit Gujrathi’s match against the 12-year-old Faustino Oro, dubbed the “Messi of Chess,” ended in a draw after a tense battle, despite Vidit being under significant time pressure. Both Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa will return with the black pieces in the second game, aiming for victories to avoid tiebreaks. Other notable performances included Diptayan Ghosh holding Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi to a draw, while Aronyak Ghosh was defeated by Armenian-born American GM Levon Aronian.
With the tournament progressing, Indian players will need to convert opportunities in the upcoming games to advance further. The FIDE Chess World Cup continues to test the mettle of the country’s top grandmasters as they face elite opponents from across the globe.
