Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 10. Oktober 2025, 9:51 Uhr

FIDE World Cup 2025: Round one pairings revealed

 

The Round One pairings for the 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa have been released, unveiling a slate of exciting early matchups. While most top seeds are automatically placed into Round 2, the opening round still promises compelling encounters as 156 players battle to advance in this elite knockout event.

The tournament features 206 participants and serves as a crucial qualifier for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. The top three finishers in Goa will earn direct spots in that highly exclusive competition — putting immense pressure on every round.

A detailed tournament preview will be published closer to the November 1st start date. However, the full list of wildcards, host nominees, and last-minute replacements already deserves special attention. The inclusion of some fantastic rising stars and replacements, ensures a dynamic and unpredictable start to the championship.

President Dvorkovich’s wildcards

While wildcard invitations represent a small fraction of the overall field, they often spotlight the future stars of the game. Nevertheless, the wildcards—special invitations granted outside the standard qualification paths—make up only a small fraction of the 206-player field.

“FIDE always works hard to find ways to give talented players a chance to improve and make their mark. The decision to award invites to these five players is based on a mix of recent performance, high-level potential and their contribution to the sport,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said.

The wildcard list leans heavily toward youth, featuring promising talents such as GM’s Mishra, Woodward and Oro, and also a very young World Rapid Champion, GM Murzin. By spotlighting young and emerging players, FIDE is clearly using the wildcard system as a developmental tool—investing in future stars and encouraging their continued growth on the world stage.

“The World Cup is one of the most difficult and most exciting chess events, given its knockout format, and will be a great opportunity for these players to show their best facing the best,” Dvorkovich added.

Let’s take a quick look at the six wildcard invitees—each a rising talent or notable figure who adds depth and intrigue to the 2025 FIDE World Cup line-up.

Kirill Alekseenko (Austria)

Born in 1997, Kirill Alekseenko is a seasoned grandmaster who began representing Austria in 2023. A GM since 2015, Alekseenko made headlines by breaking into the 2700+ rating club after finishing third in the 2019 FIDE Grand Swiss, a result that earned him a wildcard to the 2020 Candidates Tournament.

With a wealth of top-level experience, Alekseenko remains a formidable presence on the circuit. He has recently posted strong performances in several Spanish Open events and is currently one of the highest-rated players not directly qualified for the 2025 World Cup.

According to FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky, Alekseenko was awarded a wildcard because he was unable to participate in the Grand Swiss in Samarkand due to “circumstances beyond his control.” Given his proven calibre, awarding him a spot was seen as a fair and justified decision.

Aleksey Grebnev (FIDE)

Playing under the FIDE flag, Aleksey Grebnev, born in 2006, claimed his place by defeating fellow prodigy, French Grandmaster Marc’Andria Maurizzi, in a two-game classical match held a few days ago in Serbia. The win earned him the last of the six wildcard invitations, all selected by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

Grebnev’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. He captured the World Under-18 Championship in 2023, followed by the Asian Junior title in 2024, and most recently triumphed at the Dubai Open. With a current FIDE rating of 2611, the 19-year-old is poised to make a serious impact in Goa.

In Grebnev’s case, the selection recognizes both his consistent results and his potential to challenge the world’s best on the biggest stages.

Abhimanyu Mishra (USA)

Born in 2009 in New Jersey, Abhimanyu Mishra is an American grandmaster widely regarded as one of the most exceptional young talents in global chess. Currently rated 2652, Mishra made history in June 2021 by becoming the youngest grandmaster of all time at just 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days, surpassing the long-standing record held by Sergey Karjakin.

Mishra continues to break new ground. At the FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand last month, he defeated reigning World Champion GM D. Gukesh in a gruelling 61-move classical game—becoming the youngest player ever to beat a sitting world champion in a classical format.

That landmark victory, along with a series of strong performances throughout the tournament, propelled Mishra into the FIDE Top 100, underlining his credentials as a genuine contender among the world’s top juniors and a rising force on the elite circuit.

Volodar Murzin (FIDE)

Born in 2006 in Nizhny Tagil, Russia, Volodar Murzin has emerged as one of the brightest young chess talents in recent years. He first gained international attention by winning the European Youth U12 Championship in 2018, followed by a national triumph at the 2020 Russian Junior Championship.

Murzin earned the grandmaster title in 2022, but his breakout moment on the world stage came in 2024, when he captured the World Rapid Chess Championship in New York, finishing with an unbeaten score of 10/13. Along the way, he defeated elite players such as Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda—a feat that cemented his status as a rising star among the game’s elite.

With a current classical rating of 2664, Murzin is now approaching the global top 50, and his rapid ascent makes him a player to watch closely at the 2025 FIDE World Cup.

Faustino Oro (Argentina)

Born in 2013 in Buenos Aires, Faustino Oro is an Argentine chess prodigy already being hailed as “the Messi of chess.” He began playing in 2020, during the pandemic, and quickly drew global attention by reaching a FIDE rating of 2300 at just 9 years old—the youngest player ever to do so at the time.

In June 2024, Oro broke another record by becoming the youngest International Master in history, earning the title at 10 years, 8 months, and 16 days. He continued his rapid rise in September 2025, when he secured his first Grandmaster norm at the “Leyendas y Prodigios” tournament in Madrid—making him the second youngest player ever to achieve this milestone.

Now residing in Spain, Oro trains intensively—reportedly six hours a day—and currently holds a FIDE rating of 2509, the highest ever achieved by an 11-year-old. His inclusion in the 2025 FIDE World Cup marks another step in what is already shaping up to be a historic career.

Andy Woodward (USA)

Born in 2010, Andy Woodward is a Texas-based grandmaster and one of the most highly regarded young chess talents in the world today. His rise has been rapid and impressive, marked most recently by a standout performance at the 2024 FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, where he held his own against elite opposition.

Woodward earned the grandmaster title in early 2024, at just 13 years, 8 months, and 28 days, making him one of the youngest grandmasters in U.S. history. His momentum continued into 2025, when he captured the U.S. Junior Championship with an undefeated +4 =5 −0 score against a strong field, registering a performance rating of 2646.

In addition to his classical achievements, Woodward demonstrated his sharp tactical skills by winning the 2025 Puzzle World Championship, where he defeated GM Ray Robson in the final. With a rare blend of composure, calculation, and consistency, Woodward enters the 2025 FIDE World Cup as a formidable young contender.

The All India Chess Federation nominees 

According to regulations, the host nation, India, has exercised its right to nominate two additional players, GM’s Pranav Venkatesh and Raunak Sadhwani, both of them currently rated 2641.  

They will join a formidable Indian contingent that includes several of the world’s top-ranked players and rising stars, making India one of the strongest and most well-represented nations in the tournament. Let’s take a closer look at both of them

Pranav Venkatesh (India)

Born in 2006, Pranav became India’s 75th Grandmaster in 2022 by securing his final norm at the Limpedea Open in Romania. In 2024, he won the FIDE World U‑18 Youth Rapid & Blitz titles in Slovenia, topping both formats with strong scores, followed by winning the prestigious 2025 World Junior U-20 Championship in Montenegro, going unbeaten with 9/11 (seven wins, four draws).

Trained under the WestBridge‑Anand Chess Academy (WACA) and mentored in part by Viswanathan Anand, Pranav is seen as one of India’s rising stars.

Already noted for his steady, meticulous style and ability to perform under pressure, Pranav is aiming to break into the 2700+ rating bracket and make his mark in senior elite tournaments

Raunak Sadhwani (India)  

Born in Nagpur in 2005 (India), Sadhwani is a rising star in the world of chess and one of India’s youngest grandmasters, achieving the prestigious Grandmaster just before his 14^th birthday.

His peak FIDE rating so far has reached 2681 (July 2025).

U‑10 Commonwealth Championship in 2015, Raunak has represented India at several major events, including the 44th Chess Olympiad in 2022, contributing to an India B-team bronze medal. More recently, he emerged victorious in the 2024 London Chess Masters, remaining undefeated and scoring +7 over nine rounds.

Raunak is known for blending aggressive play with strong positional understanding. His steady rise in world rankings and performance in elite tournaments suggest that he is likely to become a regular contender at the highest levels.

Additional wildcard awarded to GM Divya Deshmukh ensures female representation

Due to a last-minute cancellation of one of the participants, with Ju Wenjun and Hou Yifan having earlier declined the invitation—FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich assigned an additional wildcard spots to GM Divya Deshmukh.

Divya, the reigning Women’s World Cup champion, enters the tournament with strong momentum. While her rating and experience place her as an underdog, her recent successes—including the Women’s World Cup victory and a solid showing at the Grand Swiss—make her a formidable opponent. Her challengers should be prepared for a tough and competitive match.

This wildcard was granted as a special exception, partly motivated by the goal of ensuring female representation in the event’s highly competitive field, as this decision makes Divya the only woman in the open section of the 2025 FIDE World Cup.

Written by IM Michael Rahal, Press Officer

 

From October 30 to November 27, 2025, the world’s top chess players will gather on India’s west coast for one of the most thrilling events on the calendar—the 2025 FIDE World Cup. This knockout tournament features 206 competitors battling for a share of the $2,000,000 prize fund and, importantly, three coveted spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

With every round a high-stakes, win-or-go-home battle, the World Cup promises intense drama, unforgettable games, and the rise of new stars.

World Cup draw: worldcup2025.fide.com/tournament-bracket/

List of qualified players: worldcup2025.fide.com/participants/

World Cup Regulations (PDF)

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 30. Oktober 2025, 16:29 Uhr

2025-11-02   FIDE World Cup R1 Day 2: Favourites advance, but drama awaits in the tiebreaks   With the gradual arrival of most of the top 50 seeds, the second game of round one commenced on time in the convention hall of the Baga Resort Rio in Goa. Among others, I spotted elite 2700+ GMs Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Javokhir Sindarov, Vladimir Fedoseev, and Jorden van Foreest acclimatising to the new location. I also had the pleasure of having lunch with the 13th seed, Le Quang Liem from Vietnam. Commentator Jan Gustafsson noted that players might need a bit more time to adapt: “Two days seem to be cutting it rather close if you arrive from a distant time zone.” Top Indian Olympiad player Vidit Gujrathi obviously doesn’t have this disadvantage, though he still enjoyed a relaxed stroll around the playing hall toward the end of the round.

More top players are expected to arrive throughout the day, with the rest of the field gathering at the venue tomorrow — eager to find out who they will face in the second round of the knockout. All of them, including World Champion Gukesh D., will participate in round two. The venue welcomed a very special guest to perform the ceremonial first move. Vishy Anand — a former five-time World Champion and current FIDE Deputy President — started the round by playing 1.c4 for Turkey’s Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus on board one. The move was responded to with 1…e5, played on behalf of his opponent, Abugenda Nagi of Libya, by Mr. Ali Fouzi, President of the Libyan Chess Federation.

Just fifteen minutes into the playing session, three players had already secured qualification to the second round. Amin Bassem, Étienne Bacrot, and Nikita Petrov were each awarded victories by forfeit after their opponents failed to appear for their two-game matches. Barbadian International Master Orlando Husbands, however, arrived too late for the first game of his match but eventually made it to the venue and put his opponent — top German Grandmaster Frederik Svane (2640) — to the test. Though he ultimately lost and was eliminated, he fought valiantly and made his presence felt on the board.

Over the following hours, the hall was filled with deep concentration. As I moved among the tables in search of the most compelling encounters, the atmosphere was almost tangible — focus at 100%, and the tension of high stakes evident on every face. The first decisive result was confirmed shortly after the midpoint of the round. American 15-year-old prodigy Andy Woodward scored the opening victory of the afternoon, defeating India’s Gusain Himal with a convincing 2–0 overall score.

Playing with the black pieces, Woodward had already seized the initiative. With his last move, 19…Ngf4, he attacked the pawn on g2. White needed to eliminate the knight immediately, but after just three minutes of reflection, Gusain blundered with 20.Kf1?, allowing 20…Nxg3+ 21.fxg3 Nh5!, creating the decisive threat of 22…Nxg3, which would win material. The strength of the bishop on a7, dominating all the dark squares around White’s king, became apparent. Recognizing the hopelessness of his position, Gusain resigned soon after.

With this victory, Woodward advances to face a formidable opponent in round two — Austria’s Kirill Alekseenko (rated 2679). As more results began to come in, attention turned to one of the most anticipated encounters of the day — the game featuring one of the youngest participants in the tournament, 14-year-old Argentinian prodigy IM Ilan Schnaider (rated 2401), against former European Champion Aleksandar Indjic, a strong Serbian Grandmaster rated 2635 — and, at 6’8″, arguably the tallest GM in the world! Having lost the first game, Schnaider needed a victory to force a tiebreak. After the opening, he had exactly the kind of dynamic position he was hoping for.

The Serbian’s king on d7 was in serious trouble in this chaotic position, clearly favorable for White. Schnaider spent nearly fifteen minutes here, weighing his attacking options, before deciding on 17.Nf4, and ended up just slightly better. However, he missed a golden opportunity to press for the full point. Instead the move played, he could have launched a powerful assault with 17.Qa4+! The key idea is after 17…c6 fails to 18.Be7! attacking the queen and preparing dangerous follow-ups such as Qa3–d6 or Re4. It’s likely that a player of Schnaider’s caliber examined this line but dismissed it due to the absence of an immediate tactical breakthrough. Needing only a draw to advance, Indjic chose to simplify the earliest opportunity and calmly secured qualification after a draw in a double-rook endgame.

Yesterday’s biggest upset came when Chilean GM Cristóbal Henríquez Villagra unexpectedly lost on time in a theoretically drawn endgame against an opponent rated 150 points lower. Determined to make amends, he struck back today with an impressive attacking victory that forced a tiebreak.

Henríquez Villagra concluded the game in style with the precise and elegant 45.Re8+!. The point is simple yet beautiful: after 45…Qxe8, White delivers a classic “Dovetail Mate” with 46.Qd6#. A clean and instructive finish — and a fitting way to erase the memory of yesterday’s disappointment. Combination of the day It’s always difficult to single out the best combination of the day — with so many great games unfolding simultaneously, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of them all. Nevertheless, Spain’s number one, GM David Antón Guijarro, secured his 2–0 qualification to the next round with a brilliant queen sacrifice against Angolan IM David Silva.

Silva has just played 31.Rea1, threatening Ra7 and giving up his bishop on g5, in order to seize control of the seventh rank and threaten the f7-pawn. Antón thought for a few minutes before confidently accepting the challenge with 31…Bxg5. After 32.Ra7, he stunned the spectators by sacrificing his queen: 32…Qxa7! 33.Rxa7 Rf6!, attacking White’s queen and turning the tables completely. After 34.Qd1 Rxf2, Silva resigned. A spectacular illustrative line might be 35.h3 Rxf1! 36.Bxf1 Be3+ 37.Kg2 Bxe4+, with a decisive attack. It’s clear that Antón had foreseen this entire sequence before giving up his queen — a testament to both courage and calculation.

Meanwhile, the recent Women’s World Cup winner — and the only female participant in the field — Indian GM Divya Deshmukh had to bid farewell to the event after losing her second game to GM Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis. Needing a win and staying true to her dynamic style, Divya opted for an unbalanced position right from the opening. Her opponent, however, kept things under control, defended precisely, and later capitalized on Divya’s time trouble to convert in a rook ending.

As expected, most of the favourites advanced comfortably to the next round. However, twenty matches ended in 1–1 ties, meaning those players will return tomorrow for the tiebreaks — though one notable favourite will not return at all. Local GM Leon Luke Mendonca (rated 2620) was unexpectedly eliminated from the World Cup this afternoon by China’s IM Wang Shixu B (rated 2402), marking one of the biggest surprises of the opening round.

Tomorrow’s Round One Tiebreaks will feature a new and intriguing format. The 20 tied matches will begin with a two-game rapid mini-match at a time control of 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move one. If the score remains tied, players will proceed to another two-game rapid match with a shorter time control of 10 minutes + 10 seconds increment. Should the rapid stage fail to produce a winner, the match will move to blitz — first two games at 5 minutes + 3 seconds increment, followed, if necessary, by two games at 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment. In the unlikely event that the match is still tied after all these stages, the Sudden Death (Armageddon) tiebreaker introduces a novel twist. White will receive 4 minutes + 2 seconds increment, while both players secretly submit a time bid, indicating how much time they are willing to play with as Black. The player who bids the lowest time wins the bid, takes the black pieces, and wins the match if the game ends in a draw.

The Round 1 tiebreaks begin on November 3st at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 3. November 2025, 19:53 Uhr

2025-11-03   FIDE Word Cup: 12-year-old IM Faustino Oro steals the show in Goa tiebreaks   The nerve of the tiebreaks Blitz and rapid tiebreakers are nerve-racking spectacles. In rapid games, players have enough time to think, plan, and avoid blunders, yet must still manage their time carefully. It’s a delicate balance between classical depth and blitz speed. Blitz, on the other hand, is fast, intuitive, and electric — a format where players rely on instinct, pattern recognition, and split-second calculation. Common online and in casual play, blitz demands confidence, courage, and above all, emotional control under pressure.

Few embody these qualities better than 12-year-old Argentinian IM Faustino Oro. The prodigious talent, already known for online victories against Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, showed maturity beyond his years by defeating seasoned GM Ante Brkic in Goa today. The round was ceremonially opened by Sanjiv M. Gadkar IAS, Secretary Protocol, Government of Goa, on Board One, where GM Robert Hovhannisyan faced FM Kavin Mohan. For tomorrow’s all-important second round, the Chief Minister of Goa is expected to make the honorary first move for World Champion Gukesh D.

Rapid rounds: Surprises and systems Out of twenty matches, fourteen were decided within the first two rapid games — overturning many pre-round predictions. Most rating favourites advanced, though not all without a fight: six matches ended 2-0, and eight concluded 1.5-0.5. A noticeable difference from the classical portion was the choice of openings. Many players opted for flexible “systems” such as the Colle, London, and Anti-Sicilian setups — less theoretical but highly dynamic, well-suited to faster time controls and reduced defensive resources. With these results, Round 2 is set. All fifty seeds have arrived, ready to enter the action tomorrow afternoon — a round that promises fireworks and fascinating matchups. Let’s look at this afternoon’s action in more depth. The early qualifiers The first player to qualify under the 15+10 rapid section was GM Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan (2617). The strong Kerala Grandmaster, currently ranked India’s number seventeen, defeated IM Steven Rojas Salas (2413) of Peru by a clean 2-0.

A 52-move grind with Black in the first game left Rojas Salas struggling, and Narayanan finished him off in style with a 22-move miniature in the second, capitalizing on a major blunder. According to Theophilus Wait, Lichess Operations Director present in Goa, Narayanan warmed up for the day with over fifty bullet games online: “I play a lot of bullet — that’s one of my ways to get in shape. I play fast and check a bunch of lines with the computer later.” It seems the routine paid off handsomely. Other clear 2-0 victories included: GM Jorge Cori (2601, Peru) defeating IM Aldiyar Ansat (2470, Kazakhstan). GM Temur Kuybokarov (2535, Australia) beating GM Jan Subelj (2532, Slovenia) in a match highlighted by a brilliant checkmating finish.

Kuybokarov sealed the game with 49…Nh3+ 50.Kh2 Nf2+ 51.Kg1 Rh1+! 52.Kxf2 Qxe3 mate 0-1. GM Tin Jingyao (2583, Singapore) defeating IM Jegor Lashkin (2492, Moldova). GM Ghosh Diptayan (India, 2564) overcoming GM Peng Xiongjian (2520, China) by the same score. IM Bojan Maksimovic (2532, Bosnia) eliminating GM Emre Can (2541, Turkey) — both classical games had been drawn. Narrow escapes and determined youngsters Eight matches ended 1.5-0.5, mostly favouring higher-rated players. Among the standouts was FM Kavin Mohan (Malaysia, born 2011), who drew both classical games against GM Robert Hovhannisyan (2629) before narrowly losing in the rapid portion — a superb showing for the 14-year-old.

Elsewhere, GM Alisher Suleymenov (2491, Kazakhstan) defeated GM Arturs Neiksans (2585, Latvia), while GM Denis Makhnev (2525, Kazakhstan) ousted GM Diego Flores (2563, Argentina) winning by the same margin. After his elimination, Neiksans congratulated his opponent and humorously announced his return to the commentary desk:

The 10+10 Rapids: One match decided, five headed to blitz Six matches advanced to the second two-game rapid set (10+10). The play was fiercely balanced, with only IM Aronyak Ghosh (2520, India) managing to win both games and advance. His opponent, GM Mateusz Bartel (2575, Poland), fought hard and even gained attacking chances in the final game before a sudden blunder ended his run:

Bartel’s 20.Qf3?? allowed 20…Nh4, a double attack that forced immediate resignation. Blitz deciders: Youth and nerves of steel With six games already behind them, players entered the blitz tiebreaks (5+3) — a pure test of energy, nerves, and composure. All five matches were decided at this stage, featuring both upsets and heroic efforts.

The headline story came from IM Faustino Oro (Argentina, 12 years old), who won both blitz games to qualify for Round 2. Overjoyed, “Fausti” was whisked off for a fair-play check before returning for a quick post-match chat: “I’m so happy to have qualified. It’s been a very tough match,” he said. “I missed a key tactic in the final game, but luckily for me the position was still tricky.”

Elsewhere, GM Daniil Yuffa (2618, Spain) survived a marathon match against IM Shiyam Thavandiran (Canada, 2400), eventually clinching both blitz games but acknowledging his opponent’s resilience. GM Max Warmerdam (2577, Netherlands) also needed blitz to overcome GM Lalit Babu M R (2506, India), in a match where momentum swung dramatically.

Two other tightly contested duels saw GM Kazybek Nogerbek (2538, Kazakhstan) defeat GM Raja Rithvik (2541, India), and GM Ahmed Adly (2589, Egypt) edge past GM Karen Grigoryan (2481, Armenia) — the latter still a formidable competitor and former 2650-rated player.

Looking ahead The first day of tiebreaks offered everything — drama, blunders, brilliance, and youthful audacity. With all 50 seeds now entering the fray, Round 2 promises high-voltage encounters as established stars meet fearless challengers. Goa’s World Cup is heating up, and if today’s rapid and blitz battles are any indication, the days ahead will be nothing short of spectacular. Game 1 of Round 2 begins on November 4 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 4. November 2025, 21:19 Uhr

2025-11-04   World Cup Round 2 Game 1: Gukesh debuts, Aronian and Wei Yi shine, Faustino continues to amaze It was a huge day for Goa’s chess scene. The top fifty seeds, including World Champion Gukesh D, debuted this afternoon in the Baga Resort Rio playing hall, joining the seventy-eight qualifiers from the opening round. To honour the occasion, the state’s Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, accompanied by five-time former World Champion and FIDE Deputy President Vishy Anand, opened the round by performing the ceremonial first move on Gukesh’s board.

Unfortunately for the number one seed, luck was not on his side this time. His opponent, GM Kazybek Nogerbek (2543) from Kazakhstan, held the draw with the Black pieces — not a result many can boast against the reigning World Champion. Before play began, both Anand and the Chief Minister attended a packed press conference. When asked for his top picks to win the event, Anand—as usual—was cautious, but he did point out that GM Levon Aronian “has already been enjoying Goa for the last week, so it’s quite clear that he is taking the event very seriously.” A fan’s perspective Before being a player or an announcer, I am, above all, a chess fan. One of the great perks of working as a FIDE press officer is the chance to walk around the playing area and watch, up close, the games of the best players in the world. Leaving aside Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and Alireza Firouzja, who for one reason or another decided to skip the event, practically all the world’s top 100 are here. It’s a true who’s who of elite chess, and I don’t take for granted the privilege of being here to witness it all.

Having covered chess for some time, there are only a handful of players I haven’t yet seen live. One of them is the American star Hans Moke Niemann — and he’s definitely taller than I imagined! It will be fascinating to see how he performs in his first World Cup appearance. Esipenko’s sparkling attack As expected at this level, most games ended in draws — I suspect many matches will go to tiebreaks. Still, a few players notched up early wins, mostly with the White pieces. The first decisive result came about two and a half hours into the session, when GM Andrey Esipenko (2693) defeated 2023 Baku World Cup semi-finalist GM Nijat Abasov (2587) in a dominant attacking display.

Abasov had just played 17…Be7–d6, defending the pawn on e5. Esipenko thought for five minutes and unleashed a bolt from the blue: 18.Ba6!, threatening checkmate on b7. The bishop can’t be captured due to mate on a8, but Esipenko still had to calculate several defensive tries. Abasov responded with 18…c6, blocking the diagonal, but after 19.b5!, the attack became irresistible. The key variation: 19…bxa6 20.bxc6! Qc7 21.Qf5+ and White wins. In the game, 19…c5 20.b6! sealed Abasov’s fate, and he resigned a few moves later.

Wei Yi strikes in style Among the later games, GM Wei Yi (2753)’s encounter with GM Kacper Piorun (2557) caught my attention. The Chinese prodigy—now a university graduate—has fully returned to professional chess, bringing back his trademark aggressive style.

After 17…Bxe3, Piorun may have expected 18.Qxe3, aiming for simplification after 18…Qxe6 19.f4 Qb6! Instead, Wei Yi stunned with 18.Bf7+!! Kxf7 (18…Qxf7? 19.Qxe5+) 19.fxe3, pinning the queen and winning decisive material. In his postgame chat, Wei Yi said: “My opponent played the opening in a romantic style, like a puzzle. I haven’t been to India many times, but I really enjoy Goa. I think I prefer blitz and rapid formats, though—I spend too much time in classical games!”

Aronian’s beach vibes and brilliant finish A World Cup wouldn’t be complete without GM Levon Aronian (2728). A two-time champion—Khanty-Mansiysk 2005 (vs. Ponomariov) and Tbilisi 2017 (vs. Ding Liren)—Aronian is a master of knockout formats.

In Goa, he started strongly, defeating Bengali IM Aronyal Ghosh (2520), in an attacking masterpiece that featured a sparkling piece sacrifice.

Black had an extra piece but a shattered kingside and an out-of-play queen. Aronian’s finish was vintage brilliance: 25.Rg4+! Nxg4 26.Qxg4+ Kh8 27.Qd4+! f6 28.Qd2!, the key move, after which Black resigned. One pretty line runs: 28…Kh7 29.Re7+ Kg6 30.Qd3+ f5 31.Qxg3+ Kh5 32.Bd1 mate! Other highlights Other 2700+ favourites also began well, including Arjun Erigaisi (2773), Vincent Keymer (2755), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (2742), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2737), Richard Rapport (2724), Javokhir Sindarov (2721), Vladimir Fedoseev (2720), and the newest member of the 2700+ club, Awonder Liang (2710). Liang’s opponent, Max Warmerdam, reached an equal position in a complicated Ruy Lopez battle but made the wrong choice at the critical moment.

Black had to decide which pawn to take—f2 or b2? After the correct 37…Rxb2! 38.f6 Qxf6, White has to force a draw by perpetual check: 39.Rxf8+ Kxf8 40.Qc8+ Ke7 41.Qc7+ Ke6 42.Qc8+ Kd6 43.Qc6+. Instead, Warmerdam captured the “wrong” pawn with 37…Rxf2??, which failed to 38.f6! g6 (alas, 38…Qxf6 does not work anymore, as after 39.Rxf8+ Kxf8 40.Qc8+ Ke7 41.Qc5+, White wins the f2-rook) 39.Qg5!, threatening Qh6. Black had to give up the exchange with 39…Rxf3 and was checkmated on move 60.

Among relatively surprising results include: Ivan Zemlyanskii (2596) defeated Ray Robson (2664). Georg Meier (2596) took down Volodar Murzin (2664), the reigning World Rapid Champion, with Black. But remember — it’s a two-game match, and anything can happen tomorrow. Finally, 12-year-old Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro continues to impress, holding elite Indian GM Vidit Santosh Gujrathi (2716) to a draw with Black from the position of strength.

Looking ahead Round one of the Goa World Cup has set the stage for thrilling tiebreaks and surprises. With the stars in attendance, the beaches buzzing, and the boards on fire, the chess world will be watching Goa very closely in the coming days. Game 2 of Round 2 begins on November 5 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 5. November 2025, 20:13 Uhr

World Cup Round 2 Day 2: Gukesh and Erigaisi advance, Wesley and Nepomniachtchi go home   The second game delivered all the drama chess fans could hope for — successes, upsets, nerves, and suspense in equal measure. Leading the headlines was World Champion Gukesh D., who once again demonstrated impeccable form. Playing with Black, he convincingly overpowered Kazybek Nogerbek to secure his place in the third round. Moments later, Gukesh was greeted by hundreds of cheering fans waiting outside the playing hall — a testament to his growing global appeal and India’s passionate chess following.

Joining him in the winners’ column were several other top favourites, including Arjun Erigaisi, Anish Giri, Wei Yi, and Vincent Keymer, all of whom delivered commanding performances to advance without the need for tiebreaks. However, not every top seed found smooth sailing. R. Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, and Hans Niemann were unable to finish off their opponents in the classical portion and will have to return tomorrow for what promises to be an intense day of rapid and blitz tiebreaks.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment experienced Ian Nepomniachtchi, the two-time World Championship challenger, who suffered an early and unexpected exit. It was a stunning upset and one of the defining stories of the day. Another dramatic twist of the day came from Wesley So, whose premature exit shocked many. Facing Titas Stremavicius, an opponent rated more than 200 points lower, So found himself in a tense endgame while playing with the Black pieces. Under mounting time pressure, he resigned in what was actually a drawn position, overlooking a remarkable stalemate resource that would have saved the game.

Other well-known names — including Ray Robson, Vassily Ivanchuk, David Navara, and Johan-Sebastian Christiansen — also bowed out of the competition, their World Cup dreams now on hold until the next edition in two years’ time. Let’s take a closer look at the action as the round unfolded. Inside the calm before the storm: Moments before Round 2 I usually arrive at the playing venue about twenty minutes before the start of each round. There’s something special about those quiet moments before the clocks begin to tick — the soft hum of concentration, the rustle of scoresheets, and the faint click of pieces being placed just so. While most grandmasters prefer to walk in during the last five minutes, a handful of players arrive early, savouring their own pre-game routines. At this level, arriving late is almost unheard of — not only would it bring a hefty fine, but it could even mean losing by forfeit.

Among the early arrivals today were GMs Wesley So, Pranav V, Maksimovic, Lodici, and Yu Yangyi — each calmly settling in, preparing scoresheets, and collecting their thoughts for the battles ahead. A clash of generations: Vidit vs. Oro One of the earliest to take his seat was 12-year-old IM Faustino Oro, Argentina’s young prodigy. Oro, meticulous to the last detail, spent several minutes ensuring that each of his pieces sat perfectly centered on its square — a ritual of precision that mirrors his play.

His opponent, India’s top GM Vidit Gujrathi, also arrived early, greeted the youngster warmly, adjusted his pieces, and then slipped into his familiar pre-game meditation: eyes closed, steady breathing, complete focus. Vidit enjoyed some extra encouragement today from his mother, who attended the round in a beautiful chess-themed sari, a touching symbol of support. Laughter, focus, and generations united Also among the early arrivals were elite grandmasters Anish Giri and Hans Moke Niemann. Rather than settling into their seats, the two shared a light-hearted moment, trading jokes and smiles in a brief escape from the tension that was soon to come. Their relaxed camaraderie offered a glimpse of the human side of competition — rivals on the board, but colleagues in a shared craft.

A few boards away, GM Felix Blohberger exchanged greetings with his good friend GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen before slipping in his noise-cancelling earplugs — a now-familiar ritual that has become his signature. Away from the board, Blohberger is a rising figure in the online chess community: a respected ChessTuber whose thoughtful daily recaps give fans a unique window into the life and mindset of a professional player.

Among the most respected presences in the playing hall was GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, a world-class competitor for over two decades and now a mentor to some of the brightest young talents in the game. One of his current protégés, 14-year-old Turkish GM Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş, is also competing in this World Cup. The two arrived together, exchanged a few final words over opening ideas, and wished each other luck before heading to their respective boards — a quiet, meaningful moment that beautifully embodied the connection between chess’s great traditions and its promising future. The enigmatic legend: Vassily Ivanchuk Grandmaster Vassily Ivanchuk is a true legend of the chess world. Arguably one of the most experienced players in World Cup history — having competed in eight editions by most counts — “Chuki,” as he’s affectionately known, remains as unpredictable and captivating as ever.

True to his unique rhythm, Ivanchuk typically arrives at the venue well before the round begins, but rather than sitting down immediately, he prefers to wander calmly along the side aisles, hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought. Perhaps this gentle ritual helps him settle his nerves and tune his mind for what lies ahead — another intense four- or five-hour battle over the board. As the final seconds ticked down and arbiters prepared to start the clocks, the atmosphere shifted — quiet intensity filling every corner of the hall. The calm before the storm was over. The games had begun. The ceremonial opening of the round As per tradition, Łukasz Turlej, the FIDE Secretary General, made the symbolic first move on board three — the game between GM R. Praggnanandhaa (from Chennai, India) and GM Temur Kuybokarov (representing Australia).

The ceremonial event also hosted Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS, who is the Sports Secretary for the Government of Goa, as the government representative for the occasion. Turlej is not only FIDE’s Secretary General but also a dynamic chess organizer and the coordinator of the entire organizing team for this World Cup event — as FIDE Delegate, he oversees much of the event’s execution and logistics. Drama, brilliance, and surprises After a series of relatively quick draws — many grandmasters preferring to test their luck in the tiebreaks — the first player to secure qualification for the third round was GM Levon Aronian (2722).

A solid draw with Black was enough to knock out IM Aronyak Ghosh (2514), thanks to Aronian’s victory in their first game. The Armenian-American star will now face GM A.R. Saleh Salem in the next round. Not long after, the results began to pour in. Rapport on the rise One of the top seeds and clear favourites to win the event, GM Richard Rapport (2740), delivered an emphatic 2–0 victory over GM Luis Paulo Supi (2575). The Hungarian’s creative flair was on full display as he produced a clean, energetic performance to advance confidently into the next round.

Black was under pressure, but after a defensive move like 26…Rd6, White’s advantage would have remained manageable. Instead, the Brazilian grandmaster blundered with 26…Ra8??, overlooking a tactical shot. 27.Rc7! – a brilliant move that immediately ended the contest. The knight on d5 was pinned, and the point was that 27…Qxc7 fails instantly to 28.Qxd5+, forking and capturing the rook on a8. A simple yet devastating tactic — a fitting finish from Rapport. Game of the day: Harikrishna’s masterpiece

The standout game of the day belonged to GM Pentala Harikrishna (2697), who eliminated GM Arseniy Nesterov (2584) with a spectacular positional queen sacrifice straight from the opening — perhaps one of the finest games of his career. Although Harikrishna recently dipped below the 2700 mark, he remains a pillar of Indian chess and a long-time member of the national Olympiad team. His victory today was both artistic and instructive. The board looked chaotic: White’s king was stranded in the center, and the queen was under attack. But Harikrishna had foreseen everything.

He played 8.Nxe4!! cxd5 9.Nd6+ Kf8 10.Kxf2 — White gave up his queen for just two minor pieces, yet achieved stunning piece coordination and a deadly grip on the position. Although, according to chess engines, Black is not worse here, his forces are tied down and lack counterplay. Unsurprisingly, Nesterov committed a mistake a few moves later and found himself in a tough position.

To increase the pressure, Harikrishna sacrificed the exchange with 18.Rxe3! dxe3+ 19.Bxe3. Despite having only a piece for the queen, White’s bishops dominated the board, and Black’s king was perilously exposed. A few moves later, the game concluded in an unforgettable final position after 29.h4, where Black’s pieces stood paralyzed — a testament to Harikrishna’s deep understanding and fearless creativity. A truly magnificent performance.

The major upset: Nepomniachtchi knocked out Perhaps the biggest shock of the day came when GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2732) was eliminated by GM Diptayan Ghosh (2573) from Kolkata. After Ian’s drawing the first game as Black, many expected the former World Championship challenger to cruise into the next round. But Ghosh played inspired chess with Black, completely outplaying his world-class opponent from the early middlegame.

Having been under pressure since losing a pawn in the opening, Nepomniachtchi faced a lethal tactical sequence. Ghosh calculated flawlessly: 43…Rxe3! 44.Rxc6 Re2+! 45.Kf3 Rxc6 46.Kxe2 Rd6! White could not prevent …Rd2+ without exchanging rooks — and the resulting king-and-pawn endgame was hopeless. A remarkable win for the Indian GM. After the game, a delighted Ghosh shared his thoughts: “Yesterday’s game was rather dull, but today I tried a new opening I hadn’t played before — and I won a pawn early,” he told FIDE’s WIM Charlize van Zyl in his postgame interview. A prodigy in youth, and having won the national rapid and blitz last year, Ghosh is set to make a run in this year’s cup.

Mamedyarov in trouble Another surprise came from GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (2742), who failed to convert his first-game advantage and stumbled against GM Gergely Kantor (2559). Having won the previous day, Mamedyarov needed only a draw to advance — but a misjudged opening left him in a grim position early on.

The pin on the black knight was crushing, and there was no adequate defense against e5, which would win material. Mamedyarov chose 22…Qf8, but after 23.e5! dxe5 24.dxe5 Nd5 25.Bxd8, he was left an exchange down with no compensation. Alternatively, 22…g5 would have failed instantly to 23.Nxg5! hxg5 24.Qxg5, trapping the knight on f6. With this result, the match remains level, and the two players will return tomorrow for what promises to be a thrilling tiebreak showdown.

Round 2 tiebreaks In the 2023 edition of the World Cup, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, 30 of the 64 second-round matches went to tiebreaks. This year, a similar number—27 pairs, or more than a third—will return tomorrow for a chance to advance in the competition. Five picks to follow are: Praggnanandhaa, R (2771) vs Kuybokarov, Temur (2535) Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (2750) vs Makhnev, Denis (2525) Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2742) vs Kantor, Gergely (2559) Niemann, Hans Moke (2738) vs Lodici, Lorenzo (2560) Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2716) vs Oro, Faustino (2509) The Round 2 tiebreaks will be disputed on November 6 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 6. November 2025, 20:57 Uhr

2025-11-06 Tiebreak drama at 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa: Niemann and Oro eliminated When the best player in the world – former World Champion and 2023 World Cup winner Magnus Carlsen – decides to set everything aside and join the live broadcast, you know the tiebreaks are going to be massive. And they didn’t disappoint! Favourites fell, prodigies stumbled, and the round delivered everything a chess fan could wish for: seven matches going all the way to blitz and even one Armageddon decider. The atmosphere in Goa was electric. Even Ian Nepomniachtchi’s mild post-elimination complaints on Telegram after Round Two were quickly forgotten when another top player addressed the issue directly. “The conditions are fine here,” said Vidit Gujrathi, who had just eliminated Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro. “You can always get a few complaints when you organize a big tournament. He could have been more specific, but I think people are being too harsh on him. Maybe he just lost and said something emotional – I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. But regarding the conditions, I don’t see any reason to complain.”

The Round 2 tiebreaks were officially opened by Mahesh Candolkar, President of the Goa Chess Federation, and Dr. V. Candavelou, Chief Secretary of Goa, who performed the ceremonial first move on Board 1. Rapid 15/10 The shock of the first rapid session came from the elimination of GM Hans Moke Niemann (2738). The American 10th seed was defeated by Italy’s GM Lorenzo Lodici (2560), who held him to two classical draws before winning the first of the two 15-minute rapid games in what was arguably one of the day’s key moments.

Lodici seized a decisive advantage earlier, but Niemann appeared to believe he could still draw. Short on time, Niemann blundered with 72…Rg1? – just one square too far! The sequence 73.f6 Rf1 74.Be3! was the point as Black had no Rg1+. After 74…Rf3 75.h7+ Kh8 76.f7 the deal was sealed, 1-0. The only move for Black was 72…Rg2! Compared to the line above after 73.f6 Rf2! 74.Be3 (Bc1) he has the saving check 74…Rg2+. Visibly frustrated, Niemann took some time alone to review the lines on his phone before leaving the venue.

Meanwhile, Faustino Oro’s dream run came to an end against Vidit Gujrathi, who prevailed in the first set of rapid games. “I was a bit worried going into tiebreaks — Faustino is very good, and I hadn’t played much rapid lately,” said Vidit. “I tried my best, prepared well, and it worked out.” FIDE’s Charlize van Zyl interviewed Vidit after the match — don’t miss the video!

After the match, Oro reflected to this author: “I fell behind on the clock in the second game and couldn’t recover.” Despite his disappointment, he left Goa with valuable experience and a growing fan base. Meanwhile, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis (pictured below), Sam Sevian, Daniel Darhda, Bogdan-Daniel Deac, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, Vladislav Artemiev, Pranesh M, Pranav V, Robert Hovhannisyan and Shamsiddin Vokhidov all won their matches at this stage, qualifying for Round 3.

Rapid 10/10 The second set of rapid games (10 minutes + 10 seconds) proved even tougher: only three of the ten undecided matches were resolved. GMs Gabriel Sargissian (2611) and Shant Sargsyan (2664) both advanced after long, evenly matched fights against Maxim Rodshtein (2611) and Jorge Cori (2601) respectively.

Former World Rapid Champion GM Daniil Dubov (2674) also moved on, defeating GM Jinshi Bai (2595). The Chinese player had neutralized Dubov’s advantages through four games, but a critical error in the Exchange Slav.

12…g4? – cost him dearly. After 13.Bh4! gxf3 14.Bxf3, Bai’s knight on h5 was doomed, and Dubov converted comfortably. Blitz 5/3 Seven matches came down to blitz (5 minutes + 3 seconds). The most dramatic included GM Praggnanandhaa R (2771) overcoming GM Temur Kuybokarov (2535) after falling behind and levelling the score in the first rapid set.

In the decisive blitz game, Kuybokarov reached an overwhelming position, but first failed to find a couple winning continuations and then missed a draw. After 37.b6! cxb6 38. Rc1 White’s c-pawn is simply unstoppable. Temur, however, played 37.Rd7? Kf7 38.Bxe7?? (White was still winning after the precise 38.Bd4!) 38…Rxe7.

Here Kuybokarov missed a simple defensive resource 39.Rd4, playing 39.Re1?? instead. After 39…Rxd7 40.cxd7 Rxh4+! 41.Kg2 Rd4, the Australian GM was forced to resign – a heartbreaking end to an excellent match. Elsewhere, GM Nikita Vitiugov (2654) bowed out to GM S. Narayanan (2617), who won both 5/3 games after six straight draws in the classical and rapid portions.

Blitz 3/2 Two matches went to the final blitz stage (3 minutes + 2 seconds). As expected, the veterans’ clash between GM Ivan Cheparinov (2626) and GM Michael Adams (2635) lived up to its billing. In a show of precision and stamina, Adams won both games, advancing to Round 3 – another deep run in his illustrious career.

Armageddon The last and most dramatic tiebreak saw GM Rauf Mamedov (2655) face GM Rasmus Svane (2614). Under the new bidding system for the Armageddon decider, Mamedov bid 3:00, while Svane chose 3:13, thereby securing White. “We were both struggling with the black pieces, me even more than him, so I bid slightly higher to ensure White,” Svane later explained. The decision paid off. Svane converted a slightly better endgame into victory — one of the biggest wins of his career.

Looking ahead Sixty-four players remain as Round 3 begins. With three Candidates spots at stake, every match is critical. The field is wide open – and if the tiebreaks were any indication, the coming rounds promise even more spectacular battles. The full pairings for Round 3 matches can be found here [HERE]. Game One of Round 3 will be played on November 7 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 7. November 2025, 13:28 Uhr

Keymer als Favorit beim Weltcup in Goa
Quelle: taz – „Raketenhafter Aufstieg des Vincent Keymer“, Hartmut Metz, 7. November 2025

Nach seinem überragenden Sieg beim Chennai Grand Masters, wo er Anish Giri und Arjun Erigaisi um zwei Punkte distanzierte, ist Vincent Keymer auf Platz 4 der Weltrangliste vorgestoßen und zählt nun beim Schach-Weltcup in Goa zu den Favoriten. Der 20-Jährige besiegte zum Auftakt Wladislaw Kowalew in beiden Partien und könnte bald auch Fabiano Caruana überholen.

Indiens Ex-Weltmeister Viswanathan Anand adelte seinen Bundesliga-Kollegen aus Baden-Baden als „Rakete“ und traut ihm die Qualifikation für das Kandidatenturnier 2026 zu, bei dem der Herausforderer von Weltmeister Gukesh Dommaraju ermittelt wird.

Während Magnus Carlsen und Anand selbst beim mit zwei Millionen Dollar dotierten Weltcup fehlen, ist mit Matthias Blübaum bereits ein Deutscher sicher für das Kandidatenturnier qualifiziert. Er hatte sich beim Grand Swiss in Samarkand Platz 2 gesichert.

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 10. November 2025, 9:54 Uhr

2025-11-09 World Cup Round 3 tiebreaks: When the clock decides, the better players rise   The 2025 FIDE World Cup continued to deliver high drama in Goa, as Round 3 tiebreaks produced a day filled with tension, brilliance, and heartbreak in equal measure. With places in the final 32 – and the Candidates qualification dream – on the line, nerves ran high across the playing hall. Every move carried enormous weight; a single mistake could mean the end of a months-long journey. In a recent podcast, World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana, already qualified for the Candidates, reflected on the nature of tiebreaks: “The better player usually wins.” As the clock speeds up, he explained, experience, composure, and precision tend to outweigh creative risks. That idea proved prophetic in Goa, as five of the six players rated above 2700 ultimately prevailed, their class showing through when the pressure was at its peak. The day’s results reinforced an enduring truth of knockout chess: when time dwindles and tension mounts, the difference between victory and elimination often lies not in preparation, but in psychology. Some players cracked under the relentless rhythm of rapid and blitz play; others thrived, finding clarity amid chaos. The crowd inside the playing venue could sense it – every board seemed to pulse with intensity.

The round began with the ceremonial first move performed by GM Abhijit Kunte, India’s 4th Grandmaster (after Anand, Barua, and Harikrishna) and the Tournament Director of the World Cup. Born in Pune, Maharashtra, in 1977, Kunte was a true pioneer of Indian chess during the late 1990s and early 2000s – a player known for his classical style, deep positional understanding, and his lasting contributions as both coach and mentor. Three of the eleven tiebreaks were decided swiftly, ending after the first 15+10 rapid segment with clean 2–0 victories.

The first player to book his ticket to the fourth round was GM Samuel Sevian, the American prodigy who once became the youngest grandmaster in U.S. history at just 13 years and 10 months. Known for his dynamic and fearless style, Sevian thrives in sharp middlegame battles where calculation and courage go hand in hand. Now hovering just below the 2700 rating mark, Sevian has been particularly impressive in rapid formats. After dispatching GM Tin Jingyao (2583) of Singapore in the second round tiebreaks, he repeated the feat today – drawing both classical games before convincingly defeating GM Evgeniy Najer (2610) in two rapid encounters. He shared his thoughts in a short but insightful post-game interview – don’t miss it!

Not long after, I spotted GM Alexey Sarana (2661) leaving the playing venue with a broad smile — and a quick check confirmed why. He had just secured victory in both of his rapid games against GM Jorden Van Foreest (2697), earning his place in the fourth round. A former European Champion (2023) and a player who often hovers around the 2700 mark, the Serbian grandmaster is widely recognized for his technical precision and deep preparation. It had been a hard-fought match: after trading wins in the classical games, Sarana’s superior technique in a series of minor-piece endgames proved decisive in the rapid segment.

FIDE’s interview specialist Charlize van Zyl caught up with him moments later for his thoughts on the event. “It’s a very tough tournament, and I try to take it match by match — because even in the first round, you can lose and be out,” Sarana reflected. “This tournament only happens once every two years, so it’s hard to predict anything, but of course the goal is to go as far as possible. As for the format, I think this is the most interesting tournament both to play and to watch. It’s very tense, but also very exciting — I really like the World Cup.”

The third player to advance to the fourth round with a perfect 2–0 score in the first rapid segment was GM Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan (rated 2689). Born in 2002, Yakubboev is one of the brightest talents in Uzbek chess and a cornerstone of the national team that captured gold at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai. A three-time Uzbek national champion, he is known for his calm, classical style, backed by deep opening preparation and remarkable resilience under pressure. After two solid draws in the classical portion against GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen (2664), Yakubboev capitalized on a brief lapse in concentration from his opponent in the second rapid game – enough to secure the win and a spot among the final 32 contenders.

Black had just played 23…Rac8? – a serious mistake in an otherwise balanced position. Both 23…Kh7 and 23…Nf5 would have kept the game roughly equal, but this slip proved fatal. Yakubboev immediately pounced with the tactical shot 24.Rxe6!, the key idea being that 24…fxe6 loses to 25.Nxe6, simultaneously attacking the queen and threatening checkmate on g7. Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Nguyen spent a couple of minutes searching for defensive resources. He could have tried 24…Qd7, but instead opted for 24…Qxc3, which failed to the deadly 25.Rxe7 – the rook on a1 cannot be taken due to 25.Ne6! With this victory Yakubboev comfortably advanced to Round 4.

Four more players also qualified for the next round with 1.5–0.5 match victories. Among them was GM Richard Rapport (2724), who ended the impressive run of Turkey’s young star, GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (2651). Despite holding his ground in both classical games – no small feat against such a formidable opponent – Erdogmus ultimately bowed out, leaving Goa with a wealth of experience and confidence for future events. Rapport, meanwhile, displayed the trademark class that has made him one of the most admired figures in modern chess. He ground down his opponent in the first rapid game through a long technical endgame, then showed precise defensive technique in the second, holding his ground in the tricky rook and bishop versus rook ending. Born in 1996 in Szombathely, Hungary, Rapport is celebrated for his creativity and originality, his unorthodox openings, and his fearless, artistic approach to the game – qualities that could very well fuel another deep run toward the Candidates.

Chinese GM Wei Yi (2754) displayed superb endgame technique in his two rapid games against Hungarian GM Benjamin Gledura (2643) and secured his place in the next round. One of China’s leading grandmasters and among the most gifted players of his generation, Wei Yi is renowned for his brilliant attacking style, creative ideas, and deep calculation. In his post-game interview, Wei Yi admitted that the match had been anything but easy. “Both of the classical games were solid and ended in draws,” he explained. “He was slightly better in the first tiebreak game and even had some chances to push for a win, but he blundered badly in time pressure during the endgame. I try not to get nervous, but here I’ve felt nervous in many games — it’s not so easy.” Indian GM Karthik Venkataraman (2579) and Chinese GM Yu Yangyi (2720) were the other two players to secure qualification during the first rapid segment. In the case of Yu Yangyi, his compatriot Wei Yi wasn’t surprised by the result – noting in his interview that Yu is “very strong in rapid tiebreaks” and that the two often support each other as teammates. Given his vast experience and composure under pressure, it’s no surprise that Yu continues to advance confidently through the event. The final four matches extended into the 10+10 rapid segment, a testament to the resilience and evenly matched strength of the remaining contenders. Three of these encounters were decided at this stage.

Indian GM Karthik Venkataraman (2579) and Chinese GM Yu Yangyi (2720) were the other two players to secure qualification during the first rapid segment. In the case of Yu Yangyi, his compatriot Wei Yi wasn’t surprised by the result – noting in his interview that Yu is “very strong in rapid tiebreaks” and that the two often support each other as teammates. Given his vast experience and composure under pressure, it’s no surprise that Yu continues to advance confidently through the event. The final four matches extended into the 10+10 rapid segment, a testament to the resilience and evenly matched strength of the remaining contenders. Three of these encounters were decided at this stage.

One of the most hard-fought duels of the entire round was the clash between GM Daniil Dubov (2684) and GM Georg Meier (2596). All four of their initial game – the two classical and the two 15+10 rapid encounters – ended in draws, the fourth of them after just six moves, a curious breather before the real battle resumed.

In the first of the 10+10 games, Meier erred fatally with 22…Qf6??. Despite being a piece up, his king was suddenly exposed to a decisive tactical assault. Dubov struck immediately with 23.Re8+!, taking advantage of the now-hanging queen on f6, and after 23…Kf7 24.Qc4+!, the game was effectively over –  24…Kg7 loses instantly to 25.Qxg8. Meier resigned soon after, and although he fought valiantly in the return game, there was no way back. GM Andrey Esipenko (2693) is one of the most talented representatives of the world’s elite young generation. Known for his deep opening preparation, universal style, and calm demeanour at the board, Esipenko combines classical principles with modern precision.

That composure proved vital in his hard-fought match against Iran’s GM Pouya Idani (2601) – a resilient and resourceful opponent. After losing the first classical game, Esipenko struck back in the second to level the score, and from there gradually took control. He won the first rapid game and, when the match reached the second 10+10 stage, proved once again to be the steadier player, securing his place in the fourth round. Meanwhile, another +2700-grandmaster bowed out of the tournament – local hero GM Vidit Gujrathi (2716). The 2023 Grand Prix winner, known for his deep preparation, disciplined approach, and calm presence at the board, was eliminated by American GM Sam Shankland (2654) in a dramatic and unpredictable match that could have gone either way. Born in Nashik, Maharashtra, Vidit has been one of the key figures in India’s modern chess rise. One of the critical moments came in the first rapid game, where Vidit seized the initiative and briefly led the match – but Shankland’s resilience and endgame mastery turned the tide in the end.

After a long and nerve-wracking struggle, with both players under extreme time pressure, it was Shankland who faltered first. He played the hasty 64.c6?, allowing Vidit to immediately seize control with 64…Qe2+ 65.Kc3 b4+!. Now, after 66.Nxb4 Qc4+!, White’s position collapses; in the game, 66.Kxb4 Qxd3 followed by …Qc4+ and …Ne7 securely blockaded the c-pawn, forcing resignation a few moves later. The correct idea for the American would have been 64.Qb8+ Kf7 65.Qb7+ Ne7 66.c6, when the queen on b7 protects the b-pawn’s advance and keeps the balance — a probable draw. However, Shankland showed remarkable resilience, striking back in the second rapid game and ultimately clinching victory in the 10+10 stage to eliminate Vidit. Interviewer Charlize van Zyl caught up with the relieved American just as he was leaving the playing venue for a brief post-game chat.

GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2737) became the hero of the day, coming back on the scoreboard twice over the course of an exhausting eleven-game match to finally eliminate GM Vladislav Artemiev (2646) — himself a renowned rapid and blitz specialist and a former 2700-rated player. It was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, filled with sharp positions and mutual time pressure, where both players demonstrated exceptional defensive skills and nerves of steel. One of the most interesting moments of the match was played in the rapid segment.

In this position, Vachier-Lagrave played 51.d6?, missing the win after Black’s correct 51…Rd4!. The correct path was 51.a6! Ra4, and now the brilliant, only move 52.Rc8! — after which Black cannot prevent the rook from protecting the pawn via Ra8 on the next move, allowing White to advance the d-pawn to victory. The key tactical point is that 52.Rc8 Rxa6 fails to 53.Rc6+!, exchanging rooks and heading into a trivially won pawn ending.

Commentating from the broadcast studio, GM Anish Giri remarked that, with so little time on the clock, this resource was understandably easy to miss: “It’s counterintuitive to push the a-pawn and apparently lose it.” The match itself was pure drama — an eleven-game rollercoaster that ended in an Armageddon showdown. MVL bid 2.48 seconds, while Artemiev went even lower with 2.40, gaining draw odds with Black. Maxime kept his cool, maintained a time edge throughout, and ultimately clinched the win. “This was a great match. Congratulations to Vlad — it took all I had to come back and win it. Of course, I feel relieved, but the event is still very long,” said the Frenchman moments after sealing victory.

As the sun set over Goa, the tension of the third-round tiebreaks finally gave way to relief and reflection. Precision, nerve, and endurance defined the day — qualities that separated those moving forward from those heading home. For the heavyweights, experience proved decisive; for the rising stars, it was another step toward belonging among the world’s elite. With only 32 players now remaining, the 2025 FIDE World Cup enters its most gripping phase — where every move, every second, and every decision could define a career. Although all sixteen Round 4 matches promise excitement in their own right, here are five encounters that stand out as must-watch clashes: Erigaisi vs Leko Praggnanandhaa vs Dubov Keymer vs Esipenko Rapport vs Shankland Sindarov vs Yu Yangyi Round 4 parings can be found [HERE] Tomorrow November 10 is the first rest day of the event. Game 1 of Round 4 will be played on November 11, starting at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE]

Official website: worldcup2025.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal (Goa, India) Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili

Zitat von Conrad Schormann am 11. November 2025, 19:53 Uhr

2025-11-11 World Cup Round 4 Game 1: Aronian strikes, Martínez Alcantara shines on a day of fine margins and missed chances   It was a day marked by precision, patience, and deep preparation in Goa, as the players returned to the board following the rest day. Out of sixteen classical encounters, only two produced decisive results, yet every game offered a glimpse into the razor-sharp margins that define modern elite chess. From surprise novelties in the opening phase to defensive masterpieces under time pressure, the round underscored how difficult it has become to win at this level, even with the slightest of edges. The spotlight victories belonged to GMs Levon Aronian and José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara. Aronian’s creative use of the rare 3.a3!? in the Vienna Game caught Radosław Wojtaszek completely off guard, while Martínez delivered another powerful performance in Goa, outplaying Alexey Sarana in dynamic fashion.

Elsewhere, draws were the order of the day, though many of them –  such as Dubov–Praggnanandhaa and Svane–Sargsyan – were full of energy, resourcefulness, and unrelenting accuracy. Despite just two decisive outcomes, the round was anything but dull. Several players, including Lorenzo Lodici, Vincent Keymer, and Nodirbek Yakubboev, showed impressive defensive resilience, while others like Awonder Liang and Daniil Dubov will be reflecting on missed chances. With the first classical games now complete, tension is rising: one more classical battle remains before potential tiebreaks decide who advances to Round 5. If today’s play was a display of calculation and control, tomorrow promises fireworks. Let’s take a deeper look into this afternoon’s action at the Rio Resort on Goa.

Photo credit: @mgd1_esports and @totographyclicks

Several officials visited the round this afternoon, including Mr. Michael Lobo, Chairman of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and Member of the Legislative Assembly. The first game to finish didn’t take long. Just over an hour into the round, GM Peter Leko (2660) and GM Arjun Erigaisi (2769) agreed to a draw, but not before a brief theoretical skirmish in a sharp Sicilian line. Seeking to surprise the Hungarian veteran, Erigaisi unleashed the Cobra Variation in the Sicilian Taimanov – a rare and venomous choice he had played only once before, back in 2012, at the Raisoni Memorial U-15 when he was rated just 1548.

Visibly taken aback, Leko spent over fifteen minutes choosing his response before deciding on the principled 6.Ndb5. Yet it soon became apparent that he was out of his preparation in this sharp line. Erigaisi pressed forward energetically, even sacrificing a pawn to seize the initiative on the queenside in a position with opposite-side castling. However, with his time ticking dangerously low, Leko wisely opted for an unforced threefold repetition, ensuring a half-point and avoiding unnecessary risk.

A comfortable outcome for the Indian grandmaster, who will now have the rest of the afternoon to prepare for what could be a decisive encounter tomorrow, when he will have the White pieces. An hour passed before the next game concluded, roughly marking the halfway point of the playing session. Defending with the Black pieces, GM Aleksey Grebnev (2611) opted for the ever-solid Petroff Defence against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2737). Both players rattled off the first sixteen moves in textbook fashion, following a line deeply explored in modern correspondence chess, a domain heavily guided by computer analysis, and therefore a reliable touchstone for elite preparation. Unsurprisingly, all known correspondence encounters in this variation have previously ended in draws.

The Frenchman was the first to deviate from established theory, introducing a fresh idea with 17.Rab1. Grebnev, fresh off his 25th Dubai Open victory earlier this year – took his time, spending nearly twenty minutes to navigate the complications and coolly neutralize White’s modest initiative. The balance never tilted decisively either way, and soon after, the players agreed to a threefold repetition. A pragmatic outcome for both sides, and one that quietly hints this tightly contested match could well be headed for a tiebreak showdown. Three more draws were signed before the first decisive game of the afternoon finally arrived. Among them, GM Wei Yi (2754) was unable to make any headway against GM Parham Maghsoodloo (2697).

The 2018 World Junior Champion and Iranian National Champion in 2017, 2018, and 2021, Maghsoodloo has long been a fixture near the 2700 mark and enjoys a strong reputation for his balanced mix of positional solidity and dynamic resourcefulness. Facing the ever-dangerous Wei Yi, Maghsoodloo chose the Caro–Kann Defence, meeting the Exchange Variation with an early queen trade, a practical decision against an opponent known for his sharp attacking style. Though this left him with an isolated queen’s pawn, the Iranian defended confidently and never appeared in serious trouble. A calm and professional performance from Maghsoodloo, who comfortably secured the draw and perhaps another sign that this match, too, may be destined for tiebreaks.

GM Nils Grandelius (2645) and GM Pentala Harikrishna (2697) produced an impeccably balanced encounter, both registering an impressive 98% accuracy according to computer evaluation. The game followed a well-trodden strategic line of the Ruy Lopez, leading to a symmetrical middlegame and eventually to a completely equal rook endgame after thirty-two precise moves. Neither side faltered, and the draw was a fair result of flawless technical play. For Harikrishna, it’s another steady performance, particularly valuable considering his excellent form with the White pieces in previous rounds. With the colours reversing tomorrow, spectators can likely expect a sharper, more dynamic battle.

If the previous game clocked in at 98%, this one raised the bar even higher. GM Le Quang Liem (2729) and GM Karthik Venkataraman (2579) delivered a near-flawless performance, each achieving an astonishing 99% accuracy score. Playing with the Black pieces, India’s national champion was well prepared and solid throughout. He equalized comfortably and had little difficulty steering the game toward a peaceful conclusion, securing a well-earned half point against one of Asia’s strongest grandmasters. What came as a mild surprise, however, was Le Quang Liem’s choice of the London System — a line he famously covered in detail in his own Chessable “Lifetime Repertoire” course. It’s not every day that a top-level player tests their own published repertoire over the board! In his post-game interview, Karthik commented with a smile: “I checked my notes on the London System, but it’s funny — I completely forgot to review his course, so I had to play on my own.”

“I’m quite optimistic about my chances here. I was worried about getting a slight disadvantage in the opening today, but overall I managed to draw quite easily,” he added. A confident and composed showing from the Indian champion, who continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and poise at this level. The first decisive result of the day came courtesy of GM José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara (2644), who produced another superb victory, this time with the Black pieces against GM Alexey Sarana (2661).

The Peruvian grandmaster is on a remarkable run in Goa, riding high on confidence and buoyed by enthusiastic support from fans across South and Central America. After a tense middlegame struggle, Sarana found himself under growing pressure as Martínez Alcántara’s precise and energetic play began to take over.

By this stage, Sarana’s position was already precarious. The only way to keep fighting was 33.Rxd3 Rxd3 34.Bf5, though even there 34…Ne7 would have maintained a clear advantage for Black. Instead, after thirteen minutes of thought, Sarana went astray with 33.Rc2?, and Martínez Alcántara pounced immediately: 33…Ne5!  34.Bf5 Ndf3!  35.Bxe4 Nxg1 36.Bxd3 Ngf3! With both bishops suddenly under attack, Black emerged with an extra piece, and the rest was a matter of technique. In his post-game interview with WIM Charlize van Zyl, Martínez Alcántara was quick to credit his team: “My opening preparations are working thanks to my second, for which I thank him immensely.” He also spoke candidly about his evolution and mindset: “Now I’m trying to play better openings, leaving the Philidor aside. I’m happy because I know that if I train like these guys, I can raise my level and keep improving. But I have to stay humble: the match isn’t over yet.” A confident, mature performance from the Peruvian star, whose form and focus continue to make him one of the most compelling stories of the tournament.

Three more games concluded peacefully before the second decisive result appeared on the scoreboard. The encounter between GM Sam Shankland (2654) and GM Richard Rapport (2724) was a model of precision, a solid and balanced struggle with barely a hint of inaccuracy from either player. Though Shankland was perhaps a touch on the defensive side, he was never in real danger, and the draw was a logical outcome of sound, careful play from both sides.

Meanwhile, GM Lorenzo Lodici (2560) continued his impressive run here in Goa, holding GM Samuel Sevian (2698) to a confident draw with the Black pieces. The Italian chose the Catalan Defence, navigated the opening flawlessly, and maintained an excellent 98% accuracy throughout. There was simply no room for aggression, and the players agreed to a draw exactly on move thirty. Lodici once again demonstrated why he’s being recognized as one of Europe’s emerging talents: though his rating remains in the 2500s, his recent performances show clear potential to challenge much stronger opposition on a consistent basis.

In another all-German encounter, GM Alexander Donchenko (2641) was equally pleased with his 99% accuracy draw against GM Matthias Blübaum (2687). Adopting the Grünfeld Defence, Donchenko equalized effortlessly and was never seriously tested by his national teammate. It seems increasingly likely that this match — like several others today — may be heading for a tense and dramatic tiebreak conclusion. The second decisive result of the afternoon came just after the third hour of play. Two-time World Cup winner GM Levon Aronian (2722) scored an important victory over GM Radosław Wojtaszek (2654), pulling ahead in their two-game mini-match against Poland’s Olympiad stalwart.

Aronian surprised his opponent right from the start. Playing the Vienna Game, the Armenian-American grandmaster unveiled the extremely rare 3.a3!?, a move that instantly took Wojtaszek out of known territory.

“I checked this line a bit: I even spoke with Fabiano Caruana about it,” Aronian revealed after the game. “It’s not such a good move, but it can be useful as a surprise weapon if your opponent is unaware. I was lucky that Radek was not too familiar with it. As many regular ideas lead to a draw, sometimes you can try other ideas — but you can’t just play anything.” The novelty paid off. Wojtaszek soon found himself in an awkward position, unable to fully equalize despite having the bishop pair.

The critical moment came on move twelve. After Aronian’s 12.Be3, Wojtaszek, a pawn down but holding the bishop pair, needed to play actively with 12…Bf6, followed by 13…Bxf3 (or 12…Bxf3 straight away), which would have led to interesting complications. Instead, he chose the more passive 12…Re8?, and after 13.0–0–0, his position lacked the dynamic counterplay required for full compensation. From there, Aronian gradually simplified the position, exchanged queens, and converted his extra pawn in the endgame with characteristic precision.

After the game, the always-charismatic Aronian also commented on his signature style: “India is very colourful! I feel good about it, and I’ve actually bought a few more shirts here to add to my collection.”A stylish win both on and off the board, as Aronian takes the lead and moves one step closer to securing his place in the next round. As the first time control (40 moves in 90 minutes) approached, four more games concluded peacefully, though one of them provided more than its share of excitement before settling into a draw.

In a symmetrical Italian, GM Andrey Esipenko (2693) faced GM Vincent Keymer (2755). The German number one maintained excellent control throughout, keeping the balance with confident and precise play. After around thirty moves, the game reached a threefold repetition, ensuring a comfortable draw. A solid result for Keymer, who will have White in the second game, always a psychological advantage in a short match. The next board featured another Italian, as GM Frederik Svane (2638) tried to press against GM Shant Sargsyan (2667). Despite Svane’s best efforts, the Armenian defended resourcefully, achieving an impressive 99% accuracy score. In fact, it was Sargsyan who eventually forced Svane to repeat moves with his queen to avoid losing. The German shook his head in mild disbelief at the missed opportunity, a sign of just how fine the margins can be at this level.

Meanwhile, the clash between GM Yu Yangyi (2720) and GM Javokhir Sindarov (2721) was another example of high-level precision. The players chose the Catalan Opening, which soon led to a series of exchanges and a technically balanced endgame. Yu pressed with an extra pawn, but Sindarov defended perfectly, leaving no real winning chances. In contrast to many of the day’s quieter encounters, the clash between GM Praggnanandhaa R (2771) and GM Daniil Dubov (2684) was full of tension and creative energy, even though it ultimately ended in a draw. Dubov steered the game into a Marshall-type position from the Ruy Lopez, a dynamic battleground that suited his imaginative style.

At this point, the 2023 World Cup finalist Praggnanandhaa had just played 17.f3, directly challenging the pawn on e4. Dubov invested nearly half of his remaining time calculating the sharp pawn sacrifice 17…e3, intending to follow up with 18…Ne7–d5, a sequence that could have given him excellent compensation and attacking chances. Ultimately, Dubov decided against the speculative line, opting instead for a more measured continuation 17…Nf6. Praggnanandhaa stabilized the position, though he still remained clearly worse. The critical moment came just before the first time control, on move 39.

With less than three minutes on his clock and two moves to reach move forty, Dubov chose 39…Qf5, leading to queen exchanges and an eventual draw. However, analysis shows that the much stronger continuation was 39…Nf5!, exploiting the vulnerability of the white rook on d4. After 40.Rxf4 Rxg2! 41.Kxg2 Qg6+, Black would either deliver mate or win the queen on d3 — a missed opportunity that could have turned the game decisively in Dubov’s favor.

The final two games to conclude the round also ended in draws, wrapping up an intense day of classical play. The encounter between GM Pranav V (2641) and GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689) was an exemplary display of accuracy and discipline, but lacked any real fireworks. After 80 moves of near-perfect play, neither side erred, and the game was drawn by repetition. A solid, if somewhat uneventful, result that leaves observers wondering whether Yakubboev will adopt a more ambitious approach with the White pieces in tomorrow’s second game.

The day’s final duel, between GM Awonder Liang (2710) and GM Gabriel Sargissian (2624), was of a very different nature. The young American grandmaster obtained several promising chances but failed to convert against the ever-resourceful Armenian, who defended heroically throughout the middlegame and into the endgame. For Liang, the draw will likely feel like a missed opportunity but with one more classical game to go, he’ll be hoping to regroup mentally and strike back when he gets another chance tomorrow. With just a handful of decisive results among a sea of razor-sharp draws, the day’s play in Goa showcased the extraordinary precision and resilience of the modern elite. Even in seemingly quiet encounters, the level of preparation, defensive accuracy, and psychological balance on display was remarkable.

As the players head into the second classical games tomorrow, many of them with everything still to play for, fans can expect the tension to rise and the fighting spirit to shine through. If today was a day of control, tomorrow promises to be one of courage. Game 2 of Round 4 will be played on November 12that 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson.