On a day that underlined the growing depth and maturity of Indian chess, Grandmaster Diptayan Ghosh produced one of the standout results of the FIDE World Cup 2025, defeating two–time Candidates winner Ian Nepomniachtchi with the black pieces to move into the third round.
The 27-year-old Kolkata GM, playing in his first World Cup, showcased remarkable composure and precision in a matchup that few would have predicted him to win. Having held Nepomniachtchi to a draw with white in the opening game, Diptayan capitalised on a small inaccuracy in the early middlegame on Wednesday and converted the resulting advantage with steady control, sealing victory in 47 moves. The result not only sends him into the next round but also marks one of the biggest individual wins of his career.
“Defeating Nepo in a World Cup match is special. It may take some time to sink in,” Diptayan said after the game, reflecting on a performance that will significantly elevate his standing on the international circuit.
While Diptayan delivered the headline moment, P. Harikrishna produced a masterclass of preparation and execution to dismantle Arseniy Nesterov. Playing white, Harikrishna stunned his opponent with a queen sacrifice as early as the eighth move, a line he had studied nearly a decade ago. The bold decision earned him a lasting material advantage, and he completed the win in just 29 moves, becoming the first Indian to secure passage into Round 3.
“I had prepared this years ago. I wasn’t sure whether to use it or if my opponent might know the antidote,” Harikrishna said, smiling. “But sometimes, you have to trust your memory and your instincts.”
Meanwhile, world champion Gukesh D displayed patience and resolve to overcome 2024 World Junior Champion Kazybek Nogerbek of Kazakhstan. After a draw in the first game, Gukesh outplayed his opponent in a 59-move endgame with black, demonstrating once again why he has emerged as one of the most formidable closers in modern elite chess.
India’s top-ranked player, Arjun Erigaisi, continued his excellent run as well. After winning the first game with black, Arjun secured a clean sweep with white against Martin Petrov, finishing the match in 48 moves to advance with a clinical 2–0 result.
The FIDE World Cup 2025, being contested in Goa, features 206 players from 82 countries, all competing in a single-elimination format for the Viswanathan Anand Cup, named in honour of the five-time world champion who transformed India into a chess-playing nation. This year, 17 Indian players entered Round 2, reflecting India’s growing presence at the highest level.While some advanced directly, several Indian players will head into tiebreaks on Thursday. Among them are Raunak Sadhwani, Vidit Gujrathi, R Praggnanandhaa and Narayanan SL, each having drawn both games of their respective matches.
World Junior Champion Pranav V will also feature in the tiebreaks after losing his second game to Aryan Tari, despite winning the opener with black. Elsewhere, Aravindh Chithambaram and Karthik Venkataraman faced each other in an all-Indian clash, continuing a trend this tournament has seen of domestic rivals meeting on the world stage.
What makes this round particularly significant is the nature of the victories. It was not just India’s established elite Gukesh, Arjun and Harikrishna but a deeper roster showing readiness to compete with and defeat the world’s best. Diptayan’s win, especially, will resonate across the global chess community, both because of the stature of his opponent and the composure he displayed in closing the game with black.
With Round 3 now approaching, the tournament promises to intensify, and India continues to be one of the most prominent presences in the draw. The combination of seasoned campaigners and rising talents has made the Indian contingent not just large in number but increasingly influential in outcome. For years, Indian chess has been defined by one towering name. Now, it is defined by many. And on Wednesday in Goa, that evolution was more visible than ever.
Indian Results (Round 2, Game 2)
Nogerbek Kazybek (KAZ) lost to Gukesh D — Gukesh advances (0.5–1.5)
Arjun Erigaisi defeated Martin Petrov (BUL) — Arjun advances (2–0)
Praggnanandhaa drew with Temur Kuybokarov (AUS) — To tiebreaks (1–1)
Surya Shekhar Ganguly drew with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) — Ganguly eliminated (0.5–1.5)
Ian Nepomniachtchi (FID) lost to Diptayan Ghosh — Diptayan advances (0.5–1.5)
Aronyak Ghosh drew with Levon Aronian (USA) — Aronyak eliminated (0.5–1.5)
Faustino Oro (ARG) drew with Vidit Gujrathi — To tiebreaks (1–1)
Abhimanyu Mishra lost to Saleh Salem (UAE) — Mishra eliminated (0.5–1.5)
P Harikrishna defeated Arseniy Nesterov (FID) — Harikrishna advances (1.5–0.5)
Iniyan P lost to Thai Dai Van Nguyen (CZE) — Iniyan eliminated (0.5–1.5)
Nikita Vitiugov (ENG) drew with Narayanan SL — To tiebreaks (1–1)
Pranav V lost to Aryan Tari (NOR) — To tiebreaks (1–1)
Raunak Sadhwani drew with Robert Hovhannisyan (ARM) — To tiebreaks (1–1)
Karthikeyan Murali drew with Pouya Idani (IRQ) — To tiebreaks (1–1)
