Chess Fever in Goa: Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa & Arjun Start World Cup Round 2 with High Stakes

Key Highlights

Arjun Erigaisi scored a decisive win over Bulgaria’s Martin Petrov, advancing confidently

World Champion Gukesh D was held to a draw by Kazakhstan’s Kazybek Nogerbek

R Praggnanandhaa settled for a draw with Australia’s Temur Kuybokarov in a tough battle

Indian contingent remains strong, looking for breakthroughs in upcoming games

The tournament is a qualifier for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, heightening stakes

Other Indian players Pranav Venkatesh and Vidit Gujrathi also remain in contention

Detailed Report

The first game of Round 2 in the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025, held at the Baga Resort, Goa, showed a mixture of dominating wins and hard-fought draws among India’s top talents. Arjun Erigaisi particularly shone with a commanding 37-move victory against Bulgaria’s Martin Petrov, putting him in a strong position to advance.

Gukesh D, the reigning world champion and India’s top seed, faced Kazakhstan’s Kazybek Nogerbek in a tactical match that ended in a draw, reflecting the highly competitive nature at this stage of the World Cup. R Praggnanandhaa, last year’s runner-up, had to settle for a draw with Australia’s Temur Kuybokarov after both players showed resilience.

The World Cup serves as a critical path for players aiming to qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. India’s growing chess prowess remains evident with multiple grandmasters progressing and fighting hard in this prestigious knockout tournament.

As the high-stakes matches continue, fans remain eager to follow India’s young stars navigating the thrilling challenge for chess glory.

Sources: Chess.com, FIDE, Indian Express, ChessBase India