The FIDE World Cup 2025 witnessed high drama as Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi found himself in an unexpected battle against 11-year-old Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro, with their second-round encounter ending in a draw and heading to tiebreaks.
Young Prodigy Stuns Experienced Grandmaster
In what many anticipated would be a straightforward victory for the seasoned Indian player, young Faustino Oro displayed remarkable composure and skill to hold Gujrathi to a draw in their classical game. The Argentine teenager, who has been making waves in the chess world with his exceptional talent, proved he's no pushover against the world-class competition.
Indian Contenders Show Dominance
While Gujrathi faced unexpected resistance, other Indian stars demonstrated their superiority in the tournament. Both Gukesh Dommaraju and R Praggnanandhaa secured convincing victories in their respective matches, advancing smoothly to the next round and keeping India's hopes alive for multiple qualification spots.
Tiebreak Drama Awaits
The drawn result means Gujrathi and Oro will now face off in the nerve-wracking tiebreak rounds, where rapid and possibly blitz games will determine who advances in this prestigious knockout tournament. The pressure will be immense for both players - Gujrathi fighting to justify his higher rating and experience, while Oro aims to create one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Road to Candidates Tournament
The FIDE World Cup carries enormous significance beyond the title itself, with three spots in the prestigious Candidates Tournament up for grabs. This adds an extra layer of intensity to every match, as players not only compete for World Cup glory but also for a chance to challenge for the World Championship title.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Gujrathi-Oro tiebreak, which promises to be one of the most intriguing battles of the competition, pitting experience against youthful brilliance in a high-stakes chess confrontation.
