Panaji, Goa – Indian hopes at the FIDE World Cup 2025 hang in the balance as Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa are set to face off in crucial tie-break matches. After a day of hard-fought draws in the fourth round, the two Indian stars, along with veteran P. Harikrishna, will need to bring their best form to the board to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Arjun Erigaisi, known for his solid play and strategic depth, faced Hungary's experienced GM Peter Leko. Arjun employed the Nimzo-Indian defense and displayed strong preparation, gaining an early advantage on the clock and a slight spatial edge in the middlegame. However, Leko, renowned for his defensive skills, efficiently neutralized Arjun's initiative. After a lengthy contemplation by Arjun, the queens were exchanged around move 20. Despite probing for a breakthrough, the 22-year-old Indian could not generate any clear winning opportunities, leading to a draw after 36 moves and a tied 1-1 score in their two-game series.
Leko acknowledged the pressure he faced during the opening, stating, "I knew that this b5 that I played is quite solid, and there cannot be any miracle in this position. But over the board when Arjun is blitzing all his moves, there is always some pressure. Still, it was more or less equal all the time". Arjun will aim to replicate his impressive performance in the rapid tie-breaks from the 2023 World Cup.
Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa, the young prodigy who captured the world's attention with his incredible run at the 2023 World Cup, also drew his game, forcing a tie-break. The details of his game were not immediately available.
The tie-breaks will be a high-pressure situation for all three Indian players. They will consist of rapid and blitz games, where time management and quick decision-making are crucial. Arjun Erigaisi has a FIDE rating of 2710. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has a FIDE rating of 2768 as of November 2025, and a peak rating of 2785.
The FIDE World Cup 2025 continues to be a thrilling event, with unexpected results and intense battles on every board. For the Indian contingent, the focus now shifts to the tie-breaks, where they will need to summon all their skill and mental fortitude to progress further in the tournament.
The winners of the FIDE World Cup 2023 were Magnus Carlsen, R Praggnanandhaa (Runner Up), and Fabiano Caruana (Third place).
In other matches, Levon Aronian and Joss Martinez Alcantara secured their spots in the fifth round by drawing their games against Radoslaw Wojtaszek and Alexey Sarana, respectively. Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev and Vietnam's Le Quang Liem ended the campaigns of V Pranav and V Karthik, leaving only three Indians in contention for the coveted Candidates spots.
