FIDE World Cup 2025: R Praggnanandhaa Eliminated; Arjun Erigaisi and P Harikrishna March Into Pre-Quarterfinals

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Panaji, Nov 13: Indian chess suffered a setback on Thursday (November 13) as GM R Praggnanandhaa bowed out of the FIDE World Cup 2025 after losing to former World Rapid Champion GM Daniil Dubov in the fifth-round tiebreaks. However, there was plenty to cheer for Indian fans as GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM P Harikrishna delivered strong performances to secure their places in the pre-quarterfinals.

With Pranav V and Karthik Venkataraman already exiting after defeats in their classical games, India had three players fighting through tiebreaks in Round 5. Ultimately, two of them - Arjun and Harikrishna - kept the tricolour flying high.

Praggnanandhaa's Bold Gamble Falls Short

On the top board, Praggnanandhaa entered the rapid tiebreaks against Dubov after two tense classical draws. The Indian star drew the first rapid game in just 12 moves with black, and sensing an opportunity, played ambitiously with white in the second.

However, Dubov countered brilliantly, launching a sharp attacking sequence that eventually overwhelmed Praggnanandhaa in 53 moves, ending the 19-year-old's World Cup journey with a 1.5-2.5 aggregate loss.

Arjun Erigaisi Shines Bright in Tiebreak Domination

Arjun Erigaisi produced the standout performance of the day, defeating Hungarian legend GM Peter Leko by winning both rapid games in clinical fashion.

In the first tiebreak encounter, Arjun capitalised on Leko's miscalculated pawn sacrifice and converted the advantage with precision, finishing the game in 40 moves with black. Under pressure in the second rapid game, Leko was forced to take risks in a must-win situation - but Arjun remained composed to seal victory in 57 moves.

Speaking after the match, Arjun said: "I am very happy. The tiebreak went well. The classical games were pretty intense... In the tiebreak, I was pretty much in control."

Arjun now moves into a heavyweight Round of 16 clash against two-time World Cup champion GM Levon Aronian.

P Harikrishna Advances After Outplaying Grandelius

GM P Harikrishna also booked his spot in the last 16 after a solid and strategic display against Sweden's GM Nils Grandelius.

Harikrishna held firm with black in the first rapid game, and in the second, he seized the initiative early and wrapped up the win in 34 moves with white. He now prepares to face giant-killer GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara, who has been one of the surprises of the tournament.

Elsewhere in the Field

GM Aleksey Grebnev defeated GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, winning the first rapid game in 70 moves and drawing the second to progress.

GM Sam Shankland was dominant against GM Richard Rapport, winning both rapid games to storm into the Round of 16.

Indian Results (Round 5, Tiebreaks)

• GM Arjun Erigaisi bt GM Peter Leko (HUN) - 3:1 aggregate
• GM R Praggnanandhaa lost to GM Daniil Dubov (FID) - 1.5:2.5 aggregate
• GM P Harikrishna bt GM Nils Grandelius (SWE) - 2.5:1.5 aggregate.