Tides turning in Goa: Aronian and Martínez advance to Round of 16 as field tightens
The tension in Goa was palpable as the Round of 32 of the FIDE World Cup resumed, with sixteen matches poised on a knife’s edge. The ceremonial first move, performed by Dr. Sagar Dilip Salgaocar, Managing Director of Geno Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, set the stage for what would become a day filled with fierce strategic battles, high precision, and immense psychological pressure. Each player knew that a single mistake could mean the end of their World Cup journey. As the clocks started ticking, the players quickly settled into the rhythm of combat. The atmosphere inside the playing hall was a mix of quiet concentration and restrained intensity, the hum of moves being recorded, the soft clatter of captured pieces, and the quiet footsteps of arbiters echoing through the hall. Over the next six hours, fans witnessed a fascinating blend of caution and courage. While some grandmasters opted for pragmatic draws to secure qualification, others risked it all in pursuit of victory. From José Martínez Alcántara’s confident progression to the next stage to Levon Aronian’s creative handling of complications and Le Quang Liem’s composed elimination of Karthik Venkataraman, the day offered no shortage of drama. Yet, as so often happens at this stage of the event, many matches remained deadlocked, setting up a thrilling tiebreak showdown to decide who advances to the coveted final sixteen. Let’s take a deeper look into this afternoon’s action at the Rio Resort on Goa. Roughly an hour and a half into play, GM José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara (2644) became the first player to qualify for the final sixteen after forcing a draw against GM Alexey Sarana (2661). Having secured victory with Black in the previous game, the Mexican grandmaster only needed a draw with White to advance. Following his successful choice from the previous round, Martínez opted for the 2.c3 Alapin Variation against the Sicilian. Sarana appeared unfamiliar with the subtleties of the line and soon slipped in his move order. Sensing the opportunity, Martínez seized the initiative with the striking piece sacrifice 13.Nxa7! Nxa7 14.Ne5!, creating a double attack on the queen and the f7-pawn. This well-known opening trap has appeared at least five times before in master play, with five wins for White. However, after 14…Qb5 15.Bxf7+ Kd8, Martínez wisely chose the practical route, repeating moves with 16.Bb3 Ke8 17.Bf7+. Sarana had no real alternative but to accept the draw, as declining it would have meant losing significant material — and with it, his spot in the event. After confirming his qualification, Martínez joined the broadcast studio to share his thoughts on the game. https://youtu.be/-nW_znq0MSo Immediately afterwards, the first draw of the afternoon was confirmed – coincidentally, between the same players who had battled for over 110 moves in one of yesterday’s final games to finish. Playing with White, GM Gabriel Sargissian (2624) agreed to a draw with GM Awonder Liang (2710), meaning their match will be decided tomorrow afternoon in the tiebreaks. In a classical Catalan Opening, Sargissian achieved a slight edge out of the opening, but Liang gradually neutralized the position, and a threefold repetition was reached around move thirty. GMs Lorenzo Lodici (2560) and Samuel Sevian (2698) continued their consistent form in Goa with a 32-move draw by repetition in a standard Italian Opening. Playing flawlessly, both grandmasters achieved a 99% accuracy score in a topical line previously tested by Lodici’s teammate, GM Daniele Vocaturo. Following yesterday’s topsy-turvy encounter, GM Daniil Dubov (2684) chose a deeply theoretical line in the Vienna Variation of the Ragozin Defence against GM Praggnanandhaa R (2771), perhaps aiming to surprise his young opponent. However, Praggnanandhaa was fully prepared, defending with 99% accuracy and steering the game into an equal rook-and-pawn ending. A draw was agreed on move thirty, another addition to the long list of balanced results in this heavily analysed correspondence line. Dubov, World Rapid Champion in 2018, when he triumphed ahead of Carlsen, Mamedyarov, and Nakamura,often shines when the clock runs low, making their upcoming tiebreak one of the most anticipated of the day. The sequence of draws didn’t end there: with elimination on the line, few players were willing to take undue risks. Within the next forty-five minutes, five additional games were drawn, adding ten more names to tomorrow’s increasingly crowded tiebreak roster. It was a solid draw with a 98% accuracy score between GM Aleksey Grebnev (2611) and GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2737). Playing the 3.Bb5 Moscow Variation against the Frenchman’s Sicilian Defence, Grebnev steered the game into a French-type pawn structure after a few early exchanges. In his post-game interview with WIM Charlize van Zyl, Vachier-Lagrave admitted that he wasn’t particularly familiar with his opponent: “I didn’t know much about Grebnev until about a month ago, when he played a qualifying match for the World Cup against my team colleague GM Marc’Andria Maurizzi. He’s very solid and very confident.” Grebnev managed to secure a small edge, exerting some control over the e5-square, but never enough to truly trouble the French number one. The game soon fizzled out into a draw by repetition around move thirty. https://youtu.be/ZMZkBkrQJAA The game between GM Richard Rapport (2724) and GM Sam Shankland (2654) also ended peacefully, this time with an impressive 99% accuracy score from both players. The two followed a 2018 Neo-Grünfeld encounter between top grandmasters Sjugirov and Li Chao until move thirteen. Shankland played quickly and confidently, suggesting deep home preparation, while Rapport appeared to be navigating largely on his own. The engines offered no significant improvements for either side – a truly flawless game. It’s hard to call a favourite in tomorrow’s tiebreak: both players have already proven themselves under pressure, with Shankland eliminating Vidit, and Rapport prevailing against Erdogmus earlier in the event. GM Shant Sargsyan (2667) and GM Frederik Svane (2638) produced yet another draw of exceptional quality, both recording a 99% accuracy score. In the second Catalan Opening of the day, Sargsyan opted for a line that netted him a clean pawn, but in return allowed Svane to establish
Round 4 Game 1: Aronian strikes, Martínez Alcantara shines on a day of fine margins and missed chances
It was a day marked by precision, patience, and deep preparation in Goa, as the players returned to the board following the rest day. Out of sixteen classical encounters, only two produced decisive results, yet every game offered a glimpse into the razor-sharp margins that define modern elite chess. From surprise novelties in the opening phase to defensive masterpieces under time pressure, the round underscored how difficult it has become to win at this level, even with the slightest of edges. The spotlight victories belonged to GMs Levon Aronian and José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara. Aronian’s creative use of the rare 3.a3!? in the Vienna Game caught Radosław Wojtaszek completely off guard, while Martínez delivered another powerful performance in Goa, outplaying Alexey Sarana in dynamic fashion. Elsewhere, draws were the order of the day, though many of them – such as Dubov–Praggnanandhaa and Svane–Sargsyan – were full of energy, resourcefulness, and unrelenting accuracy. Despite just two decisive outcomes, the round was anything but dull. Several players, including Lorenzo Lodici, Vincent Keymer, and Nodirbek Yakubboev, showed impressive defensive resilience, while others like Awonder Liang and Daniil Dubov will be reflecting on missed chances. With the first classical games now complete, tension is rising: one more classical battle remains before potential tiebreaks decide who advances to Round 5. If today’s play was a display of calculation and control, tomorrow promises fireworks. Let’s take a deeper look into this afternoon’s action at the Rio Resort on Goa. Several officials visited the round this afternoon, including Mr. Michael Lobo, Chairman of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and Member of the Legislative Assembly. The first game to finish didn’t take long. Just over an hour into the round, GM Peter Leko (2660) and GM Arjun Erigaisi (2769) agreed to a draw, but not before a brief theoretical skirmish in a sharp Sicilian line. Seeking to surprise the Hungarian veteran, Erigaisi unleashed the Cobra Variation in the Sicilian Taimanov – a rare and venomous choice he had played only once before, back in 2012, at the Raisoni Memorial U-15 when he was rated just 1548. Visibly taken aback, Leko spent over fifteen minutes choosing his response before deciding on the principled 6.Ndb5. Yet it soon became apparent that he was out of his preparation in this sharp line. Erigaisi pressed forward energetically, even sacrificing a pawn to seize the initiative on the queenside in a position with opposite-side castling. However, with his time ticking dangerously low, Leko wisely opted for an unforced threefold repetition, ensuring a half-point and avoiding unnecessary risk. A comfortable outcome for the Indian grandmaster, who will now have the rest of the afternoon to prepare for what could be a decisive encounter tomorrow, when he will have the White pieces. An hour passed before the next game concluded, roughly marking the halfway point of the playing session. Defending with the Black pieces, GM Aleksey Grebnev (2611) opted for the ever-solid Petroff Defence against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2737). Both players rattled off the first sixteen moves in textbook fashion, following a line deeply explored in modern correspondence chess, a domain heavily guided by computer analysis, and therefore a reliable touchstone for elite preparation. Unsurprisingly, all known correspondence encounters in this variation have previously ended in draws. The Frenchman was the first to deviate from established theory, introducing a fresh idea with 17.Rab1. Grebnev, fresh off his 25th Dubai Open victory earlier this year – took his time, spending nearly twenty minutes to navigate the complications and coolly neutralize White’s modest initiative. The balance never tilted decisively either way, and soon after, the players agreed to a threefold repetition. A pragmatic outcome for both sides, and one that quietly hints this tightly contested match could well be headed for a tiebreak showdown. Three more draws were signed before the first decisive game of the afternoon finally arrived. Among them, GM Wei Yi (2754) was unable to make any headway against GM Parham Maghsoodloo (2697). The 2018 World Junior Champion and Iranian National Champion in 2017, 2018, and 2021, Maghsoodloo has long been a fixture near the 2700 mark and enjoys a strong reputation for his balanced mix of positional solidity and dynamic resourcefulness. Facing the ever-dangerous Wei Yi, Maghsoodloo chose the Caro–Kann Defence, meeting the Exchange Variation with an early queen trade, a practical decision against an opponent known for his sharp attacking style. Though this left him with an isolated queen’s pawn, the Iranian defended confidently and never appeared in serious trouble. A calm and professional performance from Maghsoodloo, who comfortably secured the draw and perhaps another sign that this match, too, may be destined for tiebreaks. GM Nils Grandelius (2645) and GM Pentala Harikrishna (2697) produced an impeccably balanced encounter, both registering an impressive 98% accuracy according to computer evaluation. The game followed a well-trodden strategic line of the Ruy Lopez, leading to a symmetrical middlegame and eventually to a completely equal rook endgame after thirty-two precise moves. Neither side faltered, and the draw was a fair result of flawless technical play. For Harikrishna, it’s another steady performance, particularly valuable considering his excellent form with the White pieces in previous rounds. With the colours reversing tomorrow, spectators can likely expect a sharper, more dynamic battle. If the previous game clocked in at 98%, this one raised the bar even higher. GM Le Quang Liem (2729) and GM Karthik Venkataraman (2579) delivered a near-flawless performance, each achieving an astonishing 99% accuracy score. Playing with the Black pieces, India’s national champion was well prepared and solid throughout. He equalized comfortably and had little difficulty steering the game toward a peaceful conclusion, securing a well-earned half point against one of Asia’s strongest grandmasters. What came as a mild surprise, however, was Le Quang Liem’s choice of the London System — a line he famously covered in detail in his own Chessable “Lifetime Repertoire” course. It’s not every day that a top-level player tests their own published repertoire over the board! In his post-game interview, Karthik
A Day of Fun and Team Spirit at the World Cup in Goa
The rest day at the World Cup in Goa was a well-deserved break for players to unwind after the first stage of the tournament and recharge for the decisive rounds ahead. To make the most of the day, the Sports Department of the Government of Goa organized a lively afternoon of beachside recreation at Calangute Beach. The event brought together members of the organizing team and players like GM’s Salem Saleh and Jefferey Xiong who were eager to stay active and enjoy some friendly competition. Two teams were formed: Fair Play, captained by International Arbiter Gopakumar M, and Goa Gambit, led by FIDE General Secretary, Lukasz Turlej. Participants faced off in beach football, beach volleyball, and tug of war, with Turlej’s Goa Gambit emerging victorious in all three events. Music, local refreshments, and plenty of laughter filled the air, turning the afternoon into a joyful celebration of teamwork and friendship — a reminder that even in the midst of a world-class tournament, there’s always room for fun, connection, and community spirit.
Round 3 tiebreaks: Goa Turns Up the Heat – When the Clock Decides, The Better Players Rise
The 2025 FIDE World Cup continued to deliver high drama in Goa, as Round 3 tiebreaks produced a day filled with tension, brilliance, and heartbreak in equal measure. With places in the final 32 – and the Candidates qualification dream – on the line, nerves ran high across the playing hall. Every move carried enormous weight; a single mistake could mean the end of a months-long journey. In a recent podcast, World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana, already qualified for the Candidates, reflected on the nature of tiebreaks: “The better player usually wins.” As the clock speeds up, he explained, experience, composure, and precision tend to outweigh creative risks. That idea proved prophetic in Goa, as five of the six players rated above 2700 ultimately prevailed, their class showing through when the pressure was at its peak. The day’s results reinforced an enduring truth of knockout chess: when time dwindles and tension mounts, the difference between victory and elimination often lies not in preparation, but in psychology. Some players cracked under the relentless rhythm of rapid and blitz play; others thrived, finding clarity amid chaos. The crowd inside the playing venue could sense it – every board seemed to pulse with intensity. The round began with the ceremonial first move performed by GM Abhijit Kunte, India’s 4th Grandmaster (after Anand, Barua, and Harikrishna) and the Tournament Director of the World Cup. Born in Pune, Maharashtra, in 1977, Kunte was a true pioneer of Indian chess during the late 1990s and early 2000s – a player known for his classical style, deep positional understanding, and his lasting contributions as both coach and mentor. Three of the eleven tiebreaks were decided swiftly, ending after the first 15+10 rapid segment with clean 2–0 victories. The first player to book his ticket to the fourth round was GM Samuel Sevian, the American prodigy who once became the youngest grandmaster in U.S. history at just 13 years and 10 months. Known for his dynamic and fearless style, Sevian thrives in sharp middlegame battles where calculation and courage go hand in hand. Now hovering just below the 2700 rating mark, Sevian has been particularly impressive in rapid formats. After dispatching GM Tin Jingyao (2583) of Singapore in the second round tiebreaks, he repeated the feat today – drawing both classical games before convincingly defeating GM Evgeniy Najer (2610) in two rapid encounters. He shared his thoughts in a short but insightful post-game interview – don’t miss it! https://youtu.be/G7HDnE3VZoQ Not long after, I spotted GM Alexey Sarana (2661) leaving the playing venue with a broad smile — and a quick check confirmed why. He had just secured victory in both of his rapid games against GM Jorden Van Foreest (2697), earning his place in the fourth round. A former European Champion (2023) and a player who often hovers around the 2700 mark, the Serbian grandmaster is widely recognized for his technical precision and deep preparation. It had been a hard-fought match: after trading wins in the classical games, Sarana’s superior technique in a series of minor-piece endgames proved decisive in the rapid segment. FIDE’s interview specialist Charlize van Zyl caught up with him moments later for his thoughts on the event. “It’s a very tough tournament, and I try to take it match by match — because even in the first round, you can lose and be out,” Sarana reflected. “This tournament only happens once every two years, so it’s hard to predict anything, but of course the goal is to go as far as possible. As for the format, I think this is the most interesting tournament both to play and to watch. It’s very tense, but also very exciting — I really like the World Cup.” https://youtu.be/gmhECaz1TX8 The third player to advance to the fourth round with a perfect 2–0 score in the first rapid segment was GM Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan (rated 2689). Born in 2002, Yakubboev is one of the brightest talents in Uzbek chess and a cornerstone of the national team that captured gold at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai. A three-time Uzbek national champion, he is known for his calm, classical style, backed by deep opening preparation and remarkable resilience under pressure. After two solid draws in the classical portion against GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen (2664), Yakubboev capitalized on a brief lapse in concentration from his opponent in the second rapid game – enough to secure the win and a spot among the final 32 contenders. Black had just played 23…Rac8? – a serious mistake in an otherwise balanced position. Both 23…Kh7 and 23…Nf5 would have kept the game roughly equal, but this slip proved fatal. Yakubboev immediately pounced with the tactical shot 24.Rxe6!, the key idea being that 24…fxe6 loses to 25.Nxe6, simultaneously attacking the queen and threatening checkmate on g7. Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Nguyen spent a couple of minutes searching for defensive resources. He could have tried 24…Qd7, but instead opted for 24…Qxc3, which failed to the deadly 25.Rxe7 – the rook on a1 cannot be taken due to 25.Ne6! With this victory Yakubboev comfortably advanced to Round 4. Four more players also qualified for the next round with 1.5–0.5 match victories. Among them was GM Richard Rapport (2724), who ended the impressive run of Turkey’s young star, GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (2651). Despite holding his ground in both classical games – no small feat against such a formidable opponent – Erdogmus ultimately bowed out, leaving Goa with a wealth of experience and confidence for future events. Rapport, meanwhile, displayed the trademark class that has made him one of the most admired figures in modern chess. He ground down his opponent in the first rapid game through a long technical endgame, then showed precise defensive technique in the second, holding his ground in the tricky rook and bishop versus rook ending. Born in 1996 in Szombathely, Hungary, Rapport is celebrated for his creativity and originality, his unorthodox openings, and his fearless, artistic approach
World Cup chaos in Goa: 2700+ giants fall like ninepins as Gukesh, Giri, and Abdusattorov eliminated
The second game of round three was every bit as thrilling as expected. The formidable German Olympiad squad – Keymer, Bluebaum, Donchenko, and the Svane brothers – created a sensation this afternoon at the Rio Resort in Goa. Four of them advanced to the fourth round, with two scoring massive upsets by eliminating the tournament’s top seed, GM Gukesh D, and fourth seed, GM Anish Giri, from the World Cup. The five German grandmasters have formed a close-knit unit during the event — sharing meals, walking to the venue together, and supporting one another throughout the rounds. And so far, their camaraderie seems to be paying off handsomely. With today’s action concluded, 11 of the 32 matches will be decided in tiebreaks tomorrow narrowing the field to the final 32 players still in contention for the prestigious World Cup trophy. Let’s take a closer look at the action as the afternoon unfolded. The round began with the ceremonial first move, performed by Mr. Ajit Roy of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Serving as Secretary to the Governor of Mizoram, Mr. Roy played 1.e4 on Board 1 in the game between World Champion GM Gukesh D and GM Frederik Svane of Germany. As it was Saturday, the playing hall was packed with spectators. To manage the large number of visitors, the organizers implemented a slot system, allowing fans to purchase tickets for specific time periods. Naturally, the first slot sells out almost instantly – it’s the only opportunity for visitors to enter the hall with their mobile phones and take a few selfies with the players. Although I usually head back to the media and broadcast center as soon as the games begin, this afternoon I decided to stay in the playing hall for the first thirty minutes to observe the players’ behaviour when it was not their move. As expected, most of the sixty-four participants – elite professionals that they are – remained seated, deeply focused and analysing variations even while their opponents were thinking. Focus, after all, is everything in chess. Yet a few preferred to stretch their legs in the early stages, each displaying their own distinct walking style. From today’s observations, Anish Giri stood out as the player who spent the most time pacing along the cordoned-off line. His manner is unmistakable: hands clasped behind his back, posture upright, stride calm and deliberate. He walks like a man fully in control – of his position on the board and of his composure off it – graceful, self-assured, and just a touch enigmatic. A master of opening theory, Giri is always impeccably prepared, often leaving his opponents to shoulder the burden of early thought. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave’s walking style mirrors the very essence of his chess — focused, brisk, and quietly self-assured. He paces lightly between the boards with a subtle bounce in his stride, hands sometimes tucked into his pockets or folded neatly behind his back. He walks like a man calculating variations mid-step: absorbed, calm, yet charged with a quiet inner energy. Former World Cup winner Levon Aronian also enjoys taking strolls during the opening phase. Often smiling or chatting briefly with colleagues, he can frequently be seen wandering toward the lower boards, keeping an eye on the games of his former Armenian teammates — Sargissian, Hovhannisyan, and Sargsyan – who continue to battle it out in the event. Other elite players, such as Mamedyarov, Erigaisi, and Keymer, also favour mid-opening walks, usually with their hands casually in their pockets. Meanwhile, Dubov, Praggnanandhaa, and Rapport prefer the nearby refreshment area, where two large screens display miniature versions of every game, allowing them to monitor their own boards – and everyone else’s – without breaking their rhythm. Exactly an hour and a half into play, the first player had already secured qualification to the fourth round — the stage where only 32 competitors remain in contention for the coveted Candidates spots. Having won his first game yesterday, GM Matthias Bluebaum (2687), the recent runner-up at the Samarkand Grand Swiss, opted for the Exchange Variation of the King’s Indian Defence, calmly trading off every piece in sight and forcing an effortless draw to seal his spot in the next round. His opponent, 15-year-old GM Ivan Zemlyanskii (2596), can take great pride in his performance. He leaves Goa with a well-earned €11,000 prize and, more importantly, a wealth of experience that will serve him well in future competitions. As we’ve seen repeatedly in previous rounds, the 2700+ rated players are losing momentum. The latest casualty was Slovenian GM Vladimir Fedoseev (2720), who bowed out of the event after losing his second game to Poland’s ever-dangerous GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek. A six-time Polish champion, Wojtaszek may be rated 2654 at the moment, but with a career peak of 2750, he remains one of the most respected and solid players of his generation. Needing a win with Black against such a stable opponent, Fedoseev resorted to a sharp line of the English Defence that modern theory has all but refuted. He chose the risky continuation 4…f5?, and after 5.exf5 Bxg2 6.Qh5+ g6 7.fxg6 Bg7 8.gxh7+ Kf8, Black temporarily wins a rook on h1 — but at a terrible price. The resulting attack for White is well-known to be decisive, with modern engines giving a clear +2 evaluation. Fedoseev was gambling that Wojtaszek might not recall the precise theoretical nuances, and for a brief moment, it almost worked. But in the end, his luck ran out, and the Polish grandmaster’s attack broke through convincingly. We caught up with Wojtaszek in the interview area afterward, where he shared his thoughts on the match and the critical moments of the opening. https://youtu.be/uez5jXEsnIk The full game can be consulted on the Live Games section of the tournament website. Dutch GM Jorden Van Foreest (2697) will live to fight another day in Goa. Needing a win after yesterday’s loss to GM Alexey Sarana (2661), the ever-creative Dutchman once again demonstrated why he’s considered one of the most
Round 3, Game 1: Upsets, attacks, and masterclasses – Abdusattorov in danger
The shock of the first game of Round 3 came from GM José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara (2644), who scored a fantastic win against one of the strongest players in the tournament, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Uzbekistan’s number one, rated 2750 and seeded eighth. Playing with Black, Martínez Alcántara neutralized an ambitious opening idea by Abdusattorov that involved a positional exchange sacrifice. The game became highly unbalanced, but the Mexican GM kept his cool and took over the initiative once his opponent overextended. It was a huge win that puts him in a commanding position to advance to Round 4, provided he can avoid defeat tomorrow. Martínez later analysed the fascinating encounter live in our broadcast studio. Watch his full breakdown on FIDE YouTube. https://youtu.be/336BKDB7EZ0 World Champion GM Gukesh D (2752) was held to a draw by GM Frederik Svane (2638). The German grandmaster, though pleased with the result, felt there had been room for more: “It was my first time playing against the World Champion, so it was very special. A draw is fine, but I would have loved to put more pressure on him,” explained Svane in his post-game interview. https://youtu.be/MkwX3JxickE Other relatively surprising results included draws by GMs Anish Giri (2759), Richard Rapport (2724), and Daniil Dubov (2684) – all playing White against lower-rated opponents. Let’s take a closer look at the action as the afternoon unfolded. Opening ceremony and early action The round began on Board 2, where Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi (2769) faced Uzbekistan’s Olympiad medalist Shamsiddin Vokhidov (2640). The ceremonial first move, 1.e4, was played by Dr. Ajay Gaude, Director of Sports for the Government of Goa. Erigaisi humorously retrieved the pawn and switched to 1.d4 once the principal arbiter declared the round officially open. For the first time in this World Cup, none of the 32 games ended by the two-hour halfway mark — a testament both to the balance among the players and to their determination to strike first. Harikrishna’s masterclass The first decisive result arrived after two and a half hours, when GM Pentala Harikrishna (2697) dismantled GM Daniel Dardha (2605), Belgium’s four-time national champion. The Indian grandmaster — possibly inspired by his recent work as Gukesh’s second during the World Championship — played with clarity and confidence, launching a textbook kingside assault in an unbalanced Sicilian. After Dardha’s inaccurate opening play, Harikrishna demonstrated precise attacking technique. 22.Re3 (threatening 23.Rg3#) Bc7 23.Nxe4 (with the idea of 24.Nxf6#) Bxe4 24.Rxe4 f5 25.Rxe6!! Following 25…fxe6 26.Bb3!, Black would be forced to give up his queen to stop checkmate – a brilliant finish from the Andhra Pradesh native. Idani’s Creative Breakthrough Shortly afterward, GM Pouya Idani (2601) produced another upset by defeating GM Andrey Esipenko (2693) with a daring kingside pawn advance and a spectacular piece sacrifice. The key moment came after 24.Nxf7! Kxf7 25.Rxg6 Rg8 26.cxd4 Nxd4? (better was 26…exd4) 27.Bxd4 Qxd4 28.Qf5! Caught off guard by this powerful move, Esipenko resigned after 28…Rae8 29.Nf3!, unable to defend against multiple threats. “I was extremely tired after yesterday’s tiebreaks, so I want to thank my second for coming up with this idea,” said Idani. “I had some doubts before the game, but he insisted I should go for it.” https://youtu.be/daXwmJsZzfo Erigaisi’s smooth victory Meanwhile, GM Arjun Erigaisi (2769) overpowered GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (2640) in just over twenty moves, showcasing deep preparation and flawless execution. “Even though this line is considered solid, I had prepared the novelty 18.Qd2 – it’s easy for Black to go wrong if he doesn’t know it,” explained Erigaisi. “I was actually planning to play it against Wei Yi in Norway Chess.” You can replay the full game in the Live Games section on the tournament website. FIDE’s star interviewer WIM Charlize van Zyl caught up with Arjun for a quick postgame interview in which he discussed some of the key moves. https://youtu.be/cgAQqQVhgvM Other winners Also taking the lead in their matches were Levon Aronian (2722), Le Quang Liem (2729), Matthias Bluebaum (2687), Shant Sargsyan (2667), Peter Leko (2666), Alexey Sarana (2661), Radoslaw Wojtaszek (2654), Pranav V (2641), and Aleksey Grebnev (2611). Ivanchuk’s press conference Earlier in the day, Ukrainian legend GM Vasyl Ivanchuk, eliminated in Round 2 by GM Samuel Shankland, met the press at the media centre. Ivanchuk praised the tournament’s organization and confirmed his participation in the World Rapid & Blitz Championships in Doha later this year. With nine participations in eleven editions of the World Cup, Ivanchuk remains one of the event’s most frequent and respected competitors. Game 2 of Round 3 will be played on November 8, starting at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE] Written by IM Michael Rahal Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili
Tiebreak drama at 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa: Niemann and Oro eliminated
When the best player in the world – former World Champion and 2023 World Cup winner Magnus Carlsen – decides to set everything aside and join the live broadcast, you know the tiebreaks are going to be massive. And they didn’t disappoint! Favourites fell, prodigies stumbled, and the round delivered everything a chess fan could wish for: seven matches going all the way to blitz and even one Armageddon decider. The atmosphere in Goa was electric. Even Ian Nepomniachtchi’s mild post-elimination complaints on Telegram after Round Two were quickly forgotten when another top player addressed the issue directly. “The conditions are fine here,” said Vidit Gujrathi, who had just eliminated Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro. “You can always get a few complaints when you organize a big tournament. He could have been more specific, but I think people are being too harsh on him. Maybe he just lost and said something emotional – I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. But regarding the conditions, I don’t see any reason to complain.” The Round 2 tiebreaks were officially opened by Mahesh Candolkar, President of the Goa Chess Federation, and Dr. V. Candavelou, Chief Secretary of Goa, who performed the ceremonial first move on Board 1. Rapid 15/10 The shock of the first rapid session came from the elimination of GM Hans Moke Niemann (2738). The American 10th seed was defeated by Italy’s GM Lorenzo Lodici (2560), who held him to two classical draws before winning the first of the two 15-minute rapid games in what was arguably one of the day’s key moments. Lodici seized a decisive advantage earlier, but Niemann appeared to believe he could still draw. Short on time, Niemann blundered with 72…Rg1? – just one square too far! The sequence 73.f6 Rf1 74.Be3! was the point as Black had no Rg1+. After 74…Rf3 75.h7+ Kh8 76.f7 the deal was sealed, 1-0. The only move for Black was 72…Rg2! Compared to the line above after 73.f6 Rf2! 74.Be3 (Bc1) he has the saving check 74…Rg2+. Visibly frustrated, Niemann took some time alone to review the lines on his phone before leaving the venue. Meanwhile, Faustino Oro’s dream run came to an end against Vidit Gujrathi, who prevailed in the first set of rapid games. “I was a bit worried going into tiebreaks — Faustino is very good, and I hadn’t played much rapid lately,” said Vidit. “I tried my best, prepared well, and it worked out.” FIDE’s Charlize van Zyl interviewed Vidit after the match — don’t miss the video! https://youtu.be/ANF6L47_S7k After the match, Oro reflected to this author: “I fell behind on the clock in the second game and couldn’t recover.” Despite his disappointment, he left Goa with valuable experience and a growing fan base. Meanwhile, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis (pictured below), Sam Sevian, Daniel Darhda, Bogdan-Daniel Deac, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, Vladislav Artemiev, Pranesh M, Pranav V, Robert Hovhannisyan and Shamsiddin Vokhidov all won their matches at this stage, qualifying for Round 3. Rapid 10/10 The second set of rapid games (10 minutes + 10 seconds) proved even tougher: only three of the ten undecided matches were resolved. GMs Gabriel Sargissian (2611) and Shant Sargsyan (2664) both advanced after long, evenly matched fights against Maxim Rodshtein (2611) and Jorge Cori (2601) respectively. Former World Rapid Champion GM Daniil Dubov (2674) also moved on, defeating GM Jinshi Bai (2595). The Chinese player had neutralized Dubov’s advantages through four games, but a critical error in the Exchange Slav. 12…g4? – cost him dearly. After 13.Bh4! gxf3 14.Bxf3, Bai’s knight on h5 was doomed, and Dubov converted comfortably. Blitz 5/3 Seven matches came down to blitz (5 minutes + 3 seconds). The most dramatic included GM Praggnanandhaa R (2771) overcoming GM Temur Kuybokarov (2535) after falling behind and levelling the score in the first rapid set. In the decisive blitz game, Kuybokarov reached an overwhelming position, but first failed to find a couple winning continuations and then missed a draw. After 37.b6! cxb6 38. Rc1 White’s c-pawn is simply unstoppable. Temur, however, played 37.Rd7? Kf7 38.Bxe7?? (White was still winning after the precise 38.Bd4!) 38…Rxe7. Here Kuybokarov missed a simple defensive resource 39.Rd4, playing 39.Re1?? instead. After 39…Rxd7 40.cxd7 Rxh4+! 41.Kg2 Rd4, the Australian GM was forced to resign – a heartbreaking end to an excellent match. Elsewhere, GM Nikita Vitiugov (2654) bowed out to GM S. Narayanan (2617), who won both 5/3 games after six straight draws in the classical and rapid portions. Blitz 3/2 Two matches went to the final blitz stage (3 minutes + 2 seconds). As expected, the veterans’ clash between GM Ivan Cheparinov (2626) and GM Michael Adams (2635) lived up to its billing. In a show of precision and stamina, Adams won both games, advancing to Round 3 – another deep run in his illustrious career. Armageddon The last and most dramatic tiebreak saw GM Rauf Mamedov (2655) face GM Rasmus Svane (2614). Under the new bidding system for the Armageddon decider, Mamedov bid 3:00, while Svane chose 3:13, thereby securing White. “We were both struggling with the black pieces, me even more than him, so I bid slightly higher to ensure White,” Svane later explained. The decision paid off. Svane converted a slightly better endgame into victory — one of the biggest wins of his career. Looking ahead Sixty-four players remain as Round 3 begins. With three Candidates spots at stake, every match is critical. The field is wide open – and if the tiebreaks were any indication, the coming rounds promise even more spectacular battles. The full pairings for Round 3 matches can be found here [HERE]. Game One of Round 3 will be played on November 7 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE] Written by IM Michael Rahal Photos: Michal Walusza and Eteri Kublashvili
Round 2 Day 2: Gukesh and Erigaisi advance, Wesley and Nepomniachtchi go home
The second game delivered all the drama chess fans could hope for — successes, upsets, nerves, and suspense in equal measure. Leading the headlines was World Champion Gukesh D., who once again demonstrated impeccable form. Playing with Black, he convincingly overpowered Kazybek Nogerbek to secure his place in the third round. Moments later, Gukesh was greeted by hundreds of cheering fans waiting outside the playing hall — a testament to his growing global appeal and India’s passionate chess following. https://youtu.be/3ZCVOl7ZMrI Joining him in the winners’ column were several other top favourites, including Arjun Erigaisi, Anish Giri, Wei Yi, and Vincent Keymer, all of whom delivered commanding performances to advance without the need for tiebreaks. However, not every top seed found smooth sailing. R. Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, and Hans Niemann were unable to finish off their opponents in the classical portion and will have to return tomorrow for what promises to be an intense day of rapid and blitz tiebreaks. Perhaps the biggest disappointment experienced Ian Nepomniachtchi, the two-time World Championship challenger, who suffered an early and unexpected exit. It was a stunning upset and one of the defining stories of the day. Another dramatic twist of the day came from Wesley So, whose premature exit shocked many. Facing Titas Stremavicius, an opponent rated more than 200 points lower, So found himself in a tense endgame while playing with the Black pieces. Under mounting time pressure, he resigned in what was actually a drawn position, overlooking a remarkable stalemate resource that would have saved the game. Other well-known names — including Ray Robson, Vassily Ivanchuk, David Navara, and Johan-Sebastian Christiansen — also bowed out of the competition, their World Cup dreams now on hold until the next edition in two years’ time. Let’s take a closer look at the action as the round unfolded. Inside the calm before the storm: Moments before Round 2 I usually arrive at the playing venue about twenty minutes before the start of each round. There’s something special about those quiet moments before the clocks begin to tick — the soft hum of concentration, the rustle of scoresheets, and the faint click of pieces being placed just so. While most grandmasters prefer to walk in during the last five minutes, a handful of players arrive early, savouring their own pre-game routines. At this level, arriving late is almost unheard of — not only would it bring a hefty fine, but it could even mean losing by forfeit. Among the early arrivals today were GMs Wesley So, Pranav V, Maksimovic, Lodici, and Yu Yangyi — each calmly settling in, preparing scoresheets, and collecting their thoughts for the battles ahead. A clash of generations: Vidit vs. Oro One of the earliest to take his seat was 12-year-old IM Faustino Oro, Argentina’s young prodigy. Oro, meticulous to the last detail, spent several minutes ensuring that each of his pieces sat perfectly centered on its square — a ritual of precision that mirrors his play. His opponent, India’s top GM Vidit Gujrathi, also arrived early, greeted the youngster warmly, adjusted his pieces, and then slipped into his familiar pre-game meditation: eyes closed, steady breathing, complete focus. Vidit enjoyed some extra encouragement today from his mother, who attended the round in a beautiful chess-themed sari, a touching symbol of support. Laughter, focus, and generations united Also among the early arrivals were elite grandmasters Anish Giri and Hans Moke Niemann. Rather than settling into their seats, the two shared a light-hearted moment, trading jokes and smiles in a brief escape from the tension that was soon to come. Their relaxed camaraderie offered a glimpse of the human side of competition — rivals on the board, but colleagues in a shared craft. A few boards away, GM Felix Blohberger exchanged greetings with his good friend GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen before slipping in his noise-cancelling earplugs — a now-familiar ritual that has become his signature. Away from the board, Blohberger is a rising figure in the online chess community: a respected ChessTuber whose thoughtful daily recaps give fans a unique window into the life and mindset of a professional player. Among the most respected presences in the playing hall was GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, a world-class competitor for over two decades and now a mentor to some of the brightest young talents in the game. One of his current protégés, 14-year-old Turkish GM Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş, is also competing in this World Cup. The two arrived together, exchanged a few final words over opening ideas, and wished each other luck before heading to their respective boards — a quiet, meaningful moment that beautifully embodied the connection between chess’s great traditions and its promising future. The enigmatic legend: Vassily Ivanchuk Grandmaster Vassily Ivanchuk is a true legend of the chess world. Arguably one of the most experienced players in World Cup history — having competed in eight editions by most counts — “Chuki,” as he’s affectionately known, remains as unpredictable and captivating as ever. True to his unique rhythm, Ivanchuk typically arrives at the venue well before the round begins, but rather than sitting down immediately, he prefers to wander calmly along the side aisles, hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought. Perhaps this gentle ritual helps him settle his nerves and tune his mind for what lies ahead — another intense four- or five-hour battle over the board. As the final seconds ticked down and arbiters prepared to start the clocks, the atmosphere shifted — quiet intensity filling every corner of the hall. The calm before the storm was over. The games had begun. The ceremonial opening of the round As per tradition, Łukasz Turlej, the FIDE Secretary General, made the symbolic first move on board three — the game between GM R. Praggnanandhaa (from Chennai, India) and GM Temur Kuybokarov (representing Australia). The ceremonial event also hosted Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS, who is the Sports Secretary for the Government of Goa, as the government representative for
Round 2 Game 1: Gukesh debuts, Aronian and Wei Yi shine, Faustino continues to amaze
It was a huge day for Goa’s chess scene. The top fifty seeds, including World Champion Gukesh D, debuted this afternoon in the Baga Resort Rio playing hall, joining the seventy-eight qualifiers from the opening round. To honour the occasion, the state’s Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, accompanied by five-time former World Champion and FIDE Deputy President Vishy Anand, opened the round by performing the ceremonial first move on Gukesh’s board. Unfortunately for the number one seed, luck was not on his side this time. His opponent, GM Kazybek Nogerbek (2543) from Kazakhstan, held the draw with the Black pieces — not a result many can boast against the reigning World Champion. Before play began, both Anand and the Chief Minister attended a packed press conference. When asked for his top picks to win the event, Anand—as usual—was cautious, but he did point out that GM Levon Aronian “has already been enjoying Goa for the last week, so it’s quite clear that he is taking the event very seriously.” A fan’s perspective Before being a player or an announcer, I am, above all, a chess fan. One of the great perks of working as a FIDE press officer is the chance to walk around the playing area and watch, up close, the games of the best players in the world. Leaving aside Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and Alireza Firouzja, who for one reason or another decided to skip the event, practically all the world’s top 100 are here. It’s a true who’s who of elite chess, and I don’t take for granted the privilege of being here to witness it all. Having covered chess for some time, there are only a handful of players I haven’t yet seen live. One of them is the American star Hans Moke Niemann — and he’s definitely taller than I imagined! It will be fascinating to see how he performs in his first World Cup appearance. Esipenko’s sparkling attack As expected at this level, most games ended in draws — I suspect many matches will go to tiebreaks. Still, a few players notched up early wins, mostly with the White pieces. The first decisive result came about two and a half hours into the session, when GM Andrey Esipenko (2693)defeated 2023 Baku World Cup semi-finalist GM Nijat Abasov (2587) in a dominant attacking display. Abasov had just played 17…Be7–d6, defending the pawn on e5. Esipenko thought for five minutes and unleashed a bolt from the blue: 18.Ba6!, threatening checkmate on b7. The bishop can’t be captured due to mate on a8, but Esipenko still had to calculate several defensive tries. Abasov responded with 18…c6, blocking the diagonal, but after 19.b5!, the attack became irresistible. The key variation: 19…bxa6 20.bxc6! Qc7 21.Qf5+ and White wins. In the game, 19…c5 20.b6! sealed Abasov’s fate, and he resigned a few moves later. Wei Yi strikes in style Among the later games, GM Wei Yi (2753)’s encounter with GM Kacper Piorun (2557) caught my attention. The Chinese prodigy—now a university graduate—has fully returned to professional chess, bringing back his trademark aggressive style. After 17…Bxe3, Piorun may have expected 18.Qxe3, aiming for simplification after 18…Qxe6 19.f4 Qb6! Instead, Wei Yi stunned with 18.Bf7+!! Kxf7 (18…Qxf7? 19.Qxe5+) 19.fxe3, pinning the queen and winning decisive material. In his postgame chat, Wei Yi said: “My opponent played the opening in a romantic style, like a puzzle. I haven’t been to India many times, but I really enjoy Goa. I think I prefer blitz and rapid formats, though—I spend too much time in classical games!” https://youtu.be/TNc_7BhYfdQ Aronian’s beach vibes and brilliant finish A World Cup wouldn’t be complete without GM Levon Aronian (2728). A two-time winner — Khanty-Mansiysk 2005 (vs. Ponomariov) and Tbilisi 2017 (vs. Ding Liren) — Aronian is a master of knockout formats. In Goa, he started strongly, defeating Bengali IM Aronyal Ghosh (2520), in an attacking masterpiece that featured a sparkling piece sacrifice. Black had an extra piece but a shattered kingside and an out-of-play queen. Aronian’s finish was vintage brilliance: 25.Rg4+! Nxg4 26.Qxg4+ Kh8 27.Qd4+! f6 28.Qd2!, the key move, after which Black resigned. One pretty line runs: 28…Kh7 29.Re7+ Kg6 30.Qd3+ f5 31.Qxg3+ Kh5 32.Bd1 mate! Other highlights Other 2700+ favourites also began well, including Arjun Erigaisi (2773), Vincent Keymer (2755), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (2742), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2737), Richard Rapport (2724), Javokhir Sindarov (2721), Vladimir Fedoseev (2720), and the newest member of the 2700+ club, Awonder Liang (2710). Liang’s opponent, Max Warmerdam, reached an equal position in a complicated Ruy Lopez battle but made the wrong choice at the critical moment. Black had to decide which pawn to take—f2 or b2? After the correct 37…Rxb2! 38.f6 Qxf6, White has to force a draw by perpetual check: 39.Rxf8+ Kxf8 40.Qc8+ Ke7 41.Qc7+ Ke6 42.Qc8+ Kd6 43.Qc6+. Instead, Warmerdam captured the “wrong” pawn with 37…Rxf2??, which failed to 38.f6! g6 (alas, 38…Qxf6 does not work anymore, as after 39.Rxf8+ Kxf8 40.Qc8+ Ke7 41.Qc5+, White wins the f2-rook) 39.Qg5!, threatening Qh6. Black had to give up the exchange with 39…Rxf3 and was checkmated on move 60. Among relatively surprising results include: Ivan Zemlyanskii (2596) defeated Ray Robson (2664). Georg Meier (2596) took down Volodar Murzin (2664), the reigning World Rapid Champion, with Black. But remember — it’s a two-game match, and anything can happen tomorrow. Finally, 12-year-old Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro continues to impress, holding elite Indian GM Vidit Santosh Gujrathi (2716) to a draw with Black from the position of strength. Looking ahead Round one of the Goa World Cup has set the stage for thrilling tiebreaks and surprises. With the stars in attendance, the beaches buzzing, and the boards on fire, the chess world will be watching Goa very closely in the coming days. Game 2 of Round 2 begins on November 5 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE] Written
12-year-old IM Faustino Oro steals the show in Goa tiebreaks
The nerve of the tiebreaks Blitz and rapid tiebreakers are nerve-racking spectacles. In rapid games, players have enough time to think, plan, and avoid blunders, yet must still manage their time carefully. It’s a delicate balance between classical depth and blitz speed. Blitz, on the other hand, is fast, intuitive, and electric — a format where players rely on instinct, pattern recognition, and split-second calculation. Common online and in casual play, blitz demands confidence, courage, and above all, emotional control under pressure. Few embody these qualities better than 12-year-old Argentinian IM Faustino Oro. The prodigious talent, already known for online victories against Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, showed maturity beyond his years by defeating seasoned GM Ante Brkic in Goa today. The round was ceremonially opened by Sanjiv M. Gadkar IAS, Secretary Protocol, Government of Goa, on Board One, where GM Robert Hovhannisyan faced FM Kavin Mohan. For tomorrow’s all-important second round, the Chief Minister of Goa is expected to make the honorary first move for World Champion Gukesh D. Rapid rounds: Surprises and systems Out of twenty matches, fourteen were decided within the first two rapid games — overturning many pre-round predictions. Most rating favourites advanced, though not all without a fight: six matches ended 2-0, and eight concluded 1.5-0.5. A noticeable difference from the classical portion was the choice of openings. Many players opted for flexible “systems” such as the Colle, London, and Anti-Sicilian setups — less theoretical but highly dynamic, well-suited to faster time controls and reduced defensive resources. With these results, Round 2 is set. All fifty seeds have arrived, ready to enter the action tomorrow afternoon — a round that promises fireworks and fascinating matchups. Let’s look at this afternoon’s action in more depth. The early qualifiers The first player to qualify under the 15+10 rapid section was GM Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan (2617). The strong Kerala Grandmaster, currently ranked India’s number seventeen, defeated IM Steven Rojas Salas (2413) of Peru by a clean 2-0. A 52-move grind with Black in the first game left Rojas Salas struggling, and Narayanan finished him off in style with a 22-move miniature in the second, capitalizing on a major blunder. According to Theophilus Wait, Lichess Operations Director present in Goa, Narayanan warmed up for the day with over fifty bullet games online: “I play a lot of bullet — that’s one of my ways to get in shape. I play fast and check a bunch of lines with the computer later.” It seems the routine paid off handsomely. Other clear 2-0 victories included: GM Jorge Cori (2601, Peru) defeating IM Aldiyar Ansat (2470, Kazakhstan). GM Temur Kuybokarov (2535, Australia) beating GM Jan Subelj (2532, Slovenia) in a match highlighted by a brilliant checkmating finish. Kuybokarov sealed the game with 49…Nh3+ 50.Kh2 Nf2+ 51.Kg1 Rh1+! 52.Kxf2 Qxe3 mate 0-1. GM Tin Jingyao (2583, Singapore) defeating IM Jegor Lashkin (2492, Moldova). GM Ghosh Diptayan (India, 2564) overcoming GM Peng Xiongjian (2520, China) by the same score. IM Bojan Maksimovic (2532, Bosnia) eliminating GM Emre Can (2541, Turkey) — both classical games had been drawn. Narrow escapes and determined youngsters Eight matches ended 1.5-0.5, mostly favouring higher-rated players. Among the standouts was FM Kavin Mohan (Malaysia, born 2011), who drew both classical games against GM Robert Hovhannisyan (2629) before narrowly losing in the rapid portion — a superb showing for the 14-year-old. Elsewhere, GM Alisher Suleymenov (2491, Kazakhstan) defeated GM Arturs Neiksans (2585, Latvia), while GM Denis Makhnev (2525, Kazakhstan) ousted GM Diego Flores (2563, Argentina) winning by the same margin. After his elimination, Neiksans congratulated his opponent and humorously announced his return to the commentary desk: The 10+10 Rapids: One match decided, five headed to blitz Six matches advanced to the second two-game rapid set (10+10). The play was fiercely balanced, with only IM Aronyak Ghosh (2520, India) managing to win both games and advance. His opponent, GM Mateusz Bartel (2575, Poland), fought hard and even gained attacking chances in the final game before a sudden blunder ended his run: Bartel’s 20.Qf3?? allowed 20…Nh4, a double attack that forced immediate resignation. Blitz deciders: Youth and nerves of steel With six games already behind them, players entered the blitz tiebreaks (5+3) — a pure test of energy, nerves, and composure. All five matches were decided at this stage, featuring both upsets and heroic efforts. The headline story came from IM Faustino Oro (Argentina, 12 years old), who won both blitz games to qualify for Round 2. Overjoyed, “Fausti” was whisked off for a fair-play check before returning for a quick post-match chat: “I’m so happy to have qualified. It’s been a very tough match,” he said. “I missed a key tactic in the final game, but luckily for me the position was still tricky.” https://youtu.be/thmg-CpdxU0 Elsewhere, GM Daniil Yuffa (2618, Spain) survived a marathon match against IM Shiyam Thavandiran (Canada, 2400), eventually clinching both blitz games but acknowledging his opponent’s resilience. GM Max Warmerdam (2577, Netherlands) also needed blitz to overcome GM Lalit Babu M R (2506, India), in a match where momentum swung dramatically. Two other tightly contested duels saw GM Kazybek Nogerbek (2538, Kazakhstan) defeat GM Raja Rithvik (2541, India), and GM Ahmed Adly (2589, Egypt) edge past GM Karen Grigoryan (2481, Armenia) — the latter still a formidable competitor and former 2650-rated player. Looking ahead The first day of tiebreaks offered everything — drama, blunders, brilliance, and youthful audacity. With all 50 seeds now entering the fray, Round 2 promises high-voltage encounters as established stars meet fearless challengers. Goa’s World Cup is heating up, and if today’s rapid and blitz battles are any indication, the days ahead will be nothing short of spectacular. Game 1 of Round 2 begins on November 4 at 3 PM local time. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson. To watch the games in person, tickets can be purchased [HERE] Written by IM Michael Rahal Photos: