FIDE World Cup 2025: Indians Narayanan, Diptayan, and Aronyak Cruise Into Second Round
Indian grandmasters deliver dominant performances in tiebreaks as Narayanan SL, Diptayan Ghosh, and Aronyak Ghosh secure their spots in the second round of the FIDE World Cup 2025.
Indian, Nov 4 : Grandmasters Narayanan SL, Diptayan Ghosh, and Aronyak Ghosh put up stellar performances to advance to the second round of the FIDE World Cup 2025, continuing India’s impressive run in the prestigious knockout tournament.
Narayanan SL, playing with black pieces in the first game, took control early against Peru’s IM Steven Rojas, winning in 52 moves before wrapping up the match with white in just 22 moves. Diptayan Ghosh mirrored his compatriot’s dominance, defeating China’s GM Peng Xiongjian in 70 moves in the first game and sealing the tie with another win in 46 moves.
With these victories, Diptayan sets up a second-round clash with former World Championship challenger GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, while Narayanan is set to face GM Nikita Vitiugov of England.
Speaking after his win, Narayanan said,
“I thought I was a favourite in the tiebreak. In shorter formats, I’m generally stronger. I even checked with ChatGPT, and it also said I was the favourite!”
He added that his confidence soared after winning with the black pieces in the opening game.
Meanwhile, Aronyak Ghosh produced one of the day’s most clinical displays, overcoming Poland’s GM Mateusz Bartel in the second stage of the tiebreak. Aronyak, who had forced the tiebreak after a comeback win in the second classical game, won the first rapid game in 54 moves and then capitalised on his opponent’s mistakes to take the second in just 20 moves. He now faces GM Levon Aronian of the USA in round two.
Earlier, six Indian players Surya Shekhar Ganguly, Pranav V, Raunak Sadhwani, Pranesh M, Karthik Venkatraman, and Iniyan Pa had already sealed their spots in the next round. They join eight top-ranked Indian players who received byes in the first round.
India is also assured of at least one place in the third round, with Karthik Venkatraman and Aravindh Chithambaram set to face off in an all-Indian second-round battle.
The FIDE World Cup 2025, featuring 206 players from 82 countries, is a single-elimination knockout event named in honour of Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, with the winner taking home the coveted Anand Cup.
