Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and P. Harikrishna produced commanding victories in the opening game of Round 3 at the FIDE World Cup 2025, while World Champion Gukesh D and R Praggnanandhaa played out composed draws with black pieces on Friday.
The all-important World Cup, being held in Panaji, features 206 players from 82 countries competing in a knockout format for the prestigious Viswanathan Anand Cup, named in honour of India’s first world champion. With 10 Indians making it to the third round, the nation continues to have one of the largest representations in the event. Continuing his remarkable form, Arjun Erigaisi, the highest-ranked Indian in the fray, cruised to victory against Uzbekistan’s Shamsiddin Vokhidov in just 30 moves. Playing with white, the 21-year-old from Telangana showcased precision and composure, never appearing under pressure at any stage of the encounter.
After earning a bye in the opening round, Arjun had already registered back-to-back wins in Round 2 and his smooth triumph against Vokhidov now makes it three wins in three games in the competition. The only time Arjun took more than ten minutes to think during the match was when he was already in a winning position, carefully calculating the cleanest way to force resignation.
With his sharp play and near-perfect control, Arjun has further strengthened his claim as one of the frontrunners for the title.
Earlier in the day, P. Harikrishna became the first player to post a victory in the third round, taking down Belgium’s GM Daniel Dardha in just 25 moves. The veteran Indian grandmaster, known for his meticulous preparation, caught his opponent by surprise in the Sicilian Classical variation.
“I had prepared something new. Of course there was help for me but I could not recall all the moves in this variation,” Harikrishna admitted after the match. “There were some nice tricks that happened and some moves my opponent missed. Basically, he didn’t realise the danger properly in the game.”
It was a clinical display by the 39-year-old, who capitalised swiftly on Dardha’s inaccuracies and forced a resignation well before the first time control. With this result, Harikrishna now needs only a draw in the second game to book his place in the Round of 32.
Solid Starts for Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit
For India’s other leading stars, the day brought measured stability. World Champion Gukesh D held GM Frederik Svane of Germany to a comfortable draw with black pieces, showing solid defensive play and good balance in a complex middlegame. Gukesh will now enjoy the advantage of playing white in the second game, where a win would take him through.
Similarly, R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi also opened with draws while playing black, ensuring they remain in control of their respective mini-matches. Praggnanandhaa was tested by Robert Hovhannisyan of Armenia but navigated the middlegame complications with calm precision, while Vidit produced a well-timed exchange in his duel against Sam Shankland of the United States to share the point.
With the colour advantage switching in Game 2, all three Indians Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit will now look to press for wins to seal their passage into the next round without requiring tie-breaks.
Indian Results (Round 3, Game 1), as of 7 PM IST
| Match | Result |
| GM Frederik Svane (GER) vs GM Gukesh D | 0.5 – 0.5 |
| GM Arjun Erigaisi vs GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) | 1 – 0 |
| GM Robert Hovhannisyan (ARM) vs GM R Praggnanandhaa | 0.5 – 0.5 |
| GM Sam Shankland (USA) vs GM Vidit Gujrathi | 0.5 – 0.5 |
| GM P Harikrishna vs GM Daniel Dardha (BEL) | 1 – 0 |
India’s Impressive Run Continues
With ten Indians advancing to the third round the most ever for the country at a FIDE World Cup the depth of Indian chess talent has been on full display in Panaji. The mix of youth and experience has kept India firmly in contention across multiple boards. Arjun and Harikrishna’s victories have put India in a strong position heading into the return leg of Round 3, while Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit remain well poised to push for decisive results with white.
As the tension builds and the field narrows, India’s top grandmasters continue to show not only their strength but also the maturity and consistency that mark the country’s ongoing rise in the world of chess.
