Erigaisi, playing with the white pieces, defeated Bulgaria’s Martin Petrov in a 37-move game, marking the only win among the Indian top seeds in Round 2. Fellow Indian V. Pranav also clinched a win against Norway’s Aryan Tari, offering some consolation for the team.
World Champion Gukesh D, seeded number one, struggled to make an impact against Kazakhstan’s GM Kazybek Nogerbek (2543). Playing with the white pieces, Gukesh was held to a draw, a rare achievement for his opponent. Similarly, Vidit Gujrathi’s encounter with 12-year-old Argentine prodigy Oro Faustino ended in a draw. The young Argentine, hailed as the “Messi of Chess,” had already caused an upset by defeating higher-ranked Croatian grandmaster Ante Brkic in the first round. Gujrathi now faces a crucial second game with black pieces, with a potential Blitz tiebreak looming if the deadlock continues.
R. Praggnanandhaa, last edition’s runner-up, could not overcome Australia’s Temur Kuybokarov on the third board, also settling for a draw after the Aussie displayed solid play with the black pieces.
The FIDE Chess World Cup serves as a qualifying path for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, with the top three finishers earning a berth. India’s hopes now largely rest on Arjun Erigaisi and Pranav to maintain momentum, while the top seeds seek to recover in the upcoming rounds.
With intense matches and rising young talents challenging established grandmasters, the Goa leg of the World Cup promises more high-stakes encounters in the days ahead.
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