Indian Chess Contingent Dwindles at World Cup 2025
The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa has reached a critical stage with only three Indian players remaining in the competition after Wednesday's intense fourth round battles. The host nation's representation has significantly reduced from the initial 24 participants to just three survivors: second seed Arjun Erigaisi, third seed R. Praggnanandhaa, and veteran Pentala Harikrishna.
Tense Battles Lead to Tie-Breaks
Arjun Erigaisi faced Hungarian grandmaster Peter Leko in a closely contested match that saw both games ending in draws. Following a quick 20-move draw in their first game, the players engaged in another rapid encounter where Leko demonstrated solid defensive skills. The Hungarian chess master revealed after the match that he wasn't intimidated by Erigaisi's opening strategy, stating he had prepared thoroughly for the Indian's approach.
On Board 3, Russia's Daniil Dubov challenged Praggnanandhaa with creative opening strategies that demanded absolute precision from the 2023 World Cup finalist. Praggnanandhaa rose to the occasion magnificently, achieving 100 percent accuracy in the opening phase and ultimately forcing Dubov to accept a draw after 30 moves of intense play.
Veteran Harikrishna Survives Scare
Pentala Harikrishna faced a challenging situation against Swedish GM Nils Grandelius, who managed to secure a much better position during their encounter. However, Grandelius couldn't capitalize on his advantage against the experienced Indian player, known for his exceptional endgame skills. Harikrishna's resilience paid off as he managed to secure a draw and keep his World Cup campaign alive.
The day proved disappointing for India's other representatives as Pranav V and Karthik Venkataraman saw their impressive World Cup journeys come to an end. Pranav couldn't withstand the pressure from Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Yakubboev, while Venkataraman fell to former World Blitz Champion Le Quang Liem from Vietnam.
Road Ahead for Indian Contingent
All three remaining Indian players will now face the pressure of tie-breaks scheduled for Thursday. These shorter time control matches will determine who advances to the next round of the prestigious tournament that began with 206 competitors from around the world.
The performance of Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa, and Harikrishna has become crucial for Indian chess fans as the host nation pins its hopes on these three grandmasters to continue their deep run in the competition. The tie-break format, known for its unpredictability and nerve-wracking nature, will test the mental fortitude and quick decision-making abilities of the Indian trio.
The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 continues to showcase top-level chess action in Goa, with the Indian contingent fighting to maintain their presence in one of chess's most prestigious tournaments.
