Ranzi Sports

Panaji, November 5: Grandmaster Diptayan Ghosh achieved a significant upset with the black pieces, surprising two-time Candidates champion Ian Nepomniachtchi, while GM P Harikrishna delivered an almost perfect performance to outmaneuver Arseniy Nesterov and progress to the third round of the FIDE World Cup 2025 here on Wednesday.

Also moving on to the next round were world champion Gukesh D and the highest-ranked Indian player, Arjun Erigaisi.

Gukesh, who was held to a draw with the white pieces in the initial game, triumphed over 2024 world junior champion Kazybek Nogerbek of Kazakhstan in 59 moves to secure his place in the third round.

Arjun was the sole Indian to achieve full points in both of his games, defeating GM Martin Petrov of Bulgaria in 48 moves with the white pieces, marking two victories in two matches.

However, the spotlight undoubtedly shone on Diptayan. After drawing the first game of Round 2 against Nepomniachtchi with the white pieces, the Indian Grandmaster capitalized on a minor mistake from the Russian in the opening moves and seized the opportunity to win in 47 moves.

“Defeating Nepo in a match is a significant achievement. So, it is certainly a momentous day. It will take some time for the victory to fully sink in,” remarked Diptayan, who is participating in his very first World Cup.

Earlier, 39-year-old Harikrishna sacrificed his queen as early as the eighth move to capture Nesterov’s knight and bishop, gaining the advantage and ultimately winning the match in just 29 moves, thus becoming the first Indian player to reach the third round.

“I had prepared this nine years ago and was contemplating whether to employ it now or if my opponent might already be aware of the best counter-strategy,” Harikrishna reflected on his approach on Tuesday. “I thought he probably knew about it, but then I decided to go ahead and play it,” he added.

The FIDE World Cup 2025 is being conducted as a single-elimination knockout tournament featuring 206 players from 82 countries competing for the prestigious Viswanathan Anand Cup, named in honor of the Indian chess legend.

A total of 17 Indian players participated in Round 2, with GM Aravindh Chithambaram and GM Karthik Venkataraman engaged in an all-Indian contest.

Among the other Indian players, GMs Raunak Sadhwani, Vidit Gujrathi, R Praggnanandhaa, and Narayanan SL are advancing to the tiebreak round after drawing both of their matches.

World junior champion Pranav V will also compete in the tiebreak on Thursday after losing the second game to Aryan Tari from Norway, despite having won the first game with the black pieces.

Indian results (Round 2, Game 2)  

GM Nogerbek Kazybek (KAZ) lost to GM Gukesh D (0.5-1.5 aggregate)

GM Arjun Erigaisi bt GM Martin Petrov (BUL) (2:0 aggregate)

GM Temur Kuybokarov (AUS) drew with GM R Praggnanandhaa (1:1 aggregate)

GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly drew with GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA)  (0.5:1 aggregate)

GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (FID) lost to vs GM Diptayan Ghosh (0.5-1.5 aggregate)

IM Aronyak Ghosh drew with GM Levon Aronian (USA) (0.5-1.5 aggregate)

IM Faustino Oro (ARG) drew with GM Vidit Gujrathi (1:1 aggregate)

GM P Harikrishna bt GM Arseniy Nesterov (FID) (1.5:0.5 aggregate)

GM Iniyan P lost to GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen (CZE) (0.5-1.5 aggregate)

GM Nikita Vitiugov (ENG) drew with GM Narayanan SL (1:1 aggregate)  

GM Pranav V lost to GM Aryan Tari (NOR) (1:1 aggregate)

GM Raunak Sadhwani drew with GM Robert Hovhannisyan (ARM) (1:1 aggregate)

GM Karthikeyan Murali drew with GM Pouya Idani (IRA) (1:1 aggregate)