In a surprising turn of events on Wednesday, Grandmaster Diptayan Ghosh stunned former world‑champion Ian Nepomniachtchi by winning a tight encounter with the black pieces, propelling him into the third round of the FIDE World Cup 2025.
Ghosh began the match level with a draw in the first game, but a small slip by Nepomniachtchi in the opening allowed the young Indian to seize the initiative. Ghosh capitalised, delivering a win in just 47 moves. “Defeating Nepo in a match is a big thing. This will take some time to sink in,” he said after the victory, noting that it was his first appearance at a World Cup.
Meanwhile, former Candidates champion P Harikrishna pushed past Russia’s Arseniy Nesterov with an almost flawless performance. Harikrishna sacrificed his queen on move eight to win a knight and bishop, and then forced the win in 29 moves, marking the first time an Indian has advanced to the third round. “I had prepared this line nine years ago and wondered if it would still work,” Harikrishna said. “I decided to play it, and it paid off.”
India’s Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi also secured spots in the next round. Gukesh – who drew his initial game with white pieces – took out 2024 world junior champion Kazybek Nogerbek in 59 moves. Erigaisi, the highest‑ranked Indian, earned full points in both games, defeating Bulgaria’s GM Martin Petrov in 48 moves.
Other Indian grandmasters – including Aravindh Chithambaram, Karthik Venkataraman, Raunak Sadhwani, Vidit Gujrathi, Prasidh Praggnanandhaa and Narayanan SL – moved into the tiebreaks after splitting points in their Round 2 matches. World junior champion Pranav V will compete in a tiebreak on Thursday, having lost his second game to Norway’s Aryan Tari after winning the first with black.
The knockout‑style World Cup is now in its third round, with 206 participants from 82 countries battling for the Viswanathan Anand Cup. India’s growing talent is on full display as it continues to make waves on the global chess stage.
Source: ianslive
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