Unexpected Drama at FIDE World Cup 2025
The FIDE World Cup 2025 witnessed dramatic scenes on Friday when Lithuanian Grandmaster Titas Stremavicius filed an official complaint against India's rising chess star Pranav V during their third-round clash. The controversy emerged when Stremavicius accused the Indian prodigy of violating chess regulations by making multiple moves without recording them on his official scoresheet.
The Rule Violation and Resolution
The situation escalated to the point where tournament officials had to bring in a third arbiter to mediate the dispute. According to standard chess protocols, players must document every move they make during competitive matches. The matter was eventually resolved when Pranav received a formal warning, allowing the game to continue after the brief interruption.
Speaking about the incident after his victory, the 19-year-old Indian talent admitted his lack of awareness about the specific regulation. "I did not know this, but you cannot make, like, I think, three moves without writing," Pranav confessed in his post-match interview with Chess24.
Indian Dominance Continues Despite Controversy
Despite the mid-game controversy, Pranav maintained remarkable composure to secure a crucial victory against Stremavicius, taking the lead in their third-round match. This win further strengthened India's impressive performance in the prestigious tournament.
Meanwhile, other Indian chess masters delivered outstanding performances. Arjun Erigaisi, the highest-ranked Indian competitor, demonstrated near-perfect chess mastery by defeating Uzbekistan's Shamsiddin Vokhidov in just 30 moves while playing with white pieces. Similarly, P Harikrishna achieved a stunning victory over Belgium's Daniel Dardha in merely 25 moves after introducing an innovative strategy in the Sicilian Classical variation.
"I had prepared something new," Harikrishna revealed, explaining his rapid victory. "My opponent missed a few ideas, and the position collapsed quickly."
In other significant results from Round 3:
- World champion D Gukesh managed a draw with black pieces
- R Praggnanandhaa settled for a draw with black pieces
- Vidit Gujrathi also drew his game with black pieces
The Indian trio of Praggnanandhaa, Gujrathi, and Gukesh will now aim to secure their spots in the fourth round when they play with white pieces on Saturday. The overall performance of Indian players continues to make headlines at the FIDE World Cup 2025, showcasing the country's growing dominance in international chess.
