Chess World Cup 2025: Dramatic Upsets & Indian Stars Shine
The Chess World Cup 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan, delivered another day of heart-stopping action, featuring a massive upset, dominant performances, and nail-biting tiebreaks. German Grandmaster Frederik Svane stunned teenage sensation D. Gukesh, while India’s Arjun Erigaisi and R. Praggnanandhaa marched forward with impressive wins.
Svane’s Brilliance Topples Gukesh in Shock Result
The biggest surprise of the day came as Frederik Svane (Germany) defeated India’s D. Gukesh, one of the tournament favorites. Gukesh, 18, entered the match in stellar form but fell victim to Svane’s precise positional play.
- Game 1: Svane seized a critical win with Black after capitalizing on a middlegame inaccuracy.
- Game 2: Gukesh pressed aggressively, but Svane’s rock-solid defense secured the draw, clinching the match.
“I trusted my preparation and stayed calm,” Svane said post-match. For Gukesh, the loss is a setback, but the rising star remains a key figure in India’s chess future.
Arjun Erigaisi Crushes Korobov in Commanding Fashion
Arjun Erigaisi (India) delivered a masterclass against Ukraine’s Anton Korobov, winning both classical games convincingly.
- Game 1: Erigaisi smashed the Sicilian Defense with a stunning exchange sacrifice, leading to a decisive attack.
- Game 2: He converted a slight edge into victory, avoiding tiebreaks.
“My preparation paid off—staying sharp was key,” said Arjun, now emerging as a serious title contender.
Praggnanandhaa Survives Moussard in Thrilling Tiebreaks
R. Praggnanandhaa edged past France’s Jules Moussard in a dramatic rapid tiebreak:
- Game 1 (Rapid): Pragg exploited a tactical blunder to take the lead.
- Game 2 (Rapid): Moussard struck back, forcing an Armageddon decider.
- Armageddon: Pragg held his nerve with Black, advancing to the next round.
“I never stopped believing,” said Praggnanandhaa, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer.
Other Highlights: Carlsen, Caruana Advance; Esipenko Falls
- Magnus Carlsen (Norway) and Fabiano Caruana (USA) cruised past their opponents.
- Andrey Esipenko (Russia) suffered a shock defeat to Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan) in tiebreaks.
The knockout format continues to produce surprises, proving no player is safe.
Upcoming Matches to Watch
- Arjun Erigaisi vs. Anish Giri (Netherlands) – A high-stakes clash of styles.
- Praggnanandhaa vs. Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland) – A test of precision vs. creativity.
With Gukesh and Vidit Gujrathi out, India pins its hopes on Arjun and Praggnanandhaa for a historic World Cup win.
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