Indians hold ground with Praggnanandhaa escaping defeat in FIDE World Cup round 4

In the first games of Round 4 of the FIDE World Cup 2025, held in Panaji, Goa, all four Indian Grandmasters were held to draws, keeping their hopes alive in the knockout stage of the prestigious chess tournament.

Second seed Arjun Erigaisi, playing with black, was held to a 20-move draw by experienced Hungarian Grandmaster Peter Leko. Leko, returning to individual competition after nearly six years, chose a cautious approach after Arjun’s rook seized control of the ‘a’ file. A draw by repetition was agreed upon, as Leko avoided complications under low time conditions. He later stated that Arjun had presented a big surprise in the opening and that he would play for a win with black in the second game.

R. Praggnanandhaa, playing white, narrowly survived a critical moment against GM Daniil Dubov. An error on move 14 involving a d-pawn push gave Dubov a potential advantage. However, Dubov missed the winning continuation, and both players, under severe time pressure, agreed to a draw after 41 moves. Praggnanandhaa’s resilience ensured he stayed in contention for the pre-quarterfinals.

P. Harikrishna and Karthik Venkataraman also drew their games. Harikrishna, handling black, held Swedish Grandmaster Nils Grandelius in 32 moves, while Karthik drew with Vietnamese Grandmaster Le Quang Liem in 36 moves. Both games were characterized by balanced positions and careful play, with neither side taking significant risks.

Other notable results in Round 4 Game 1 included two-time World Cup winner Levon Aronian, who defeated Radoslaw Wojtaszek in 37 moves with white, and GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara, who outplayed Alexey Sarana in 39 moves with black. These victories strengthened their positions in the tournament.

The draws for the Indian players can be attributed to a combination of strategic caution, solid defensive play, and time management. In knockout formats, a single loss can be decisive, and all four Indians prioritized safety while remaining alert for opportunities.

Looking ahead to Round 5, scheduled for 15 November 2025, the Indian players are expected to analyze opponents deeply, prepare opening novelties, and maintain a balance between aggression and caution. Proper time management, endgame readiness, and tie-break preparation will be essential to secure victories and advance further in the tournament. With the second games of Round 4 imminent, Indian Grandmasters are poised to push for wins while minimizing errors, keeping their World Cup hopes alive.

India Results (Round 4, Game 1):

• GM Peter Leko (HUN) drew with GM Arjun Erigaisi — 0.5–0.5

• GM R. Praggnanandhaa drew with GM Daniil Dubov (FID) — 0.5–0.5

• GM Nils Grandelius (SWE) drew with GM P. Harikrishna — 0.5–0.5

• GM Le Quang Liem (VIE) drew with GM Karthik Venkataraman — 0.5–0.5