Mixed Day for India, Erigaisi, Harikrishna Advance as Praggnanandhaa Falls in FIDE World Cup

India, Nov 14 :  Witnessed a mixed day at the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Panaji, Goa, on Thursday, as GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Pentala Harikrishna advanced to the pre-quarterfinals, while R. Praggnanandhaa bowed out in the fifth round.

Erigaisi delivered a commanding performance, defeating Hungarian legend GM Peter Leko in both rapid tiebreak games. The 21-year-old seized on Leko’s pawn sacrifice in the first rapid to claim victory in 40 moves with black. Under must-win pressure in the second game, Leko took risks, but Erigaisi stayed composed and wrapped up the match in 57 moves.

“I am very happy. The tiebreak went well… in the tie break, I was pretty much in control,” said Erigaisi, who now faces two-time World Cup winner GM Levon Aronian in the Round of 16.

Harikrishna also secured his spot in the next round, holding Sweden’s GM Nils Grandelius to a draw with black in the first rapid game before capitalizing on opportunities to win the second in 34 moves with white. He will meet giant-killer GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara in the pre-quarters.

However, it was disappointment for Praggnanandhaa, who drew the first rapid game against former World Rapid Champion GM Daniil Dubov, but faltered in the second while pushing for a win with white. Dubov launched a sharp attack to clinch the game in 53 moves and seal the match.

In other notable results, GM Aleksey Grebnev eliminated GM Maxime Vachier Lagrave, while American GM Sam Shankland swept both rapid games against GM Richard Rapport to progress.

India Results (Round 4, Tiebreaks):

GM Arjun Erigaisi bt GM Peter Leko (HUN) — 3:1 aggregate

GM P. Harikrishna bt GM Nils Grandelius (SWE) — 2.5:1.5 aggregate

GM R. Praggnanandhaa lost to GM Daniil Dubov (FID) — 1.5:2.5 aggregate