Vidit Gujrathi sails into round 3 as Nihal Sarin exits FIDE World Cup

Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi kept India’s hopes high at the FIDE World Chess Cup by defeating 12-year-old Argentine prodigy Oro Faustino to seal his place in the third round. However, it was heartbreak for Nihal Sarin, who bowed out after a series of missed opportunities against Greek GM Kourkoulos-Arditis Stamatis as the second round concluded here on Thursday.

For Nihal, the exit was particularly painful. The Kerala youngster held promising positions in multiple games but faltered at key moments, allowing Stamatis to claw back and eventually capitalize in the tie-breaks. Despite showing strong preparation and control in earlier stages, Nihal’s inability to convert advantages proved costly.

India suffered another setback as Aravindh Chithambaram went down to compatriot K Venkatramanan after the second set of rapid games, ending his campaign prematurely.

Among other notable results, P Harikrishna continued his fine form, overcoming Arseniy Nesterov of FIDE to progress 1.5–0.5. M Pranesh impressed with a 2–0 win in the rapid tie-breaks against Germany’s Dmitrij Kollars, while V Pranav edged past Aryan Tari of Norway. R Praggnanandhaa, meanwhile, drew both classical games against Australia’s Temur Kuybokarov and will look to advance in the next phase.

Indian results (Round 2):

• Temur Kuybokarov (AUS) drew with R Praggnanandhaa 1-1, 1-1

• Oro Faustino (ARG) lost to Vidit Gujrathi 1-1, 0.5-1.5

• Nihal Sarin lost to Kourkoulos-Arditis Stamatis (GRE) 1-1, 0.5-1.5

• P Harikrishna beat Arseniy Nesterov (FID) 1.5-0.5

• M Pranesh beat Dmitrij Kollars (GER) 1-1, 0-2

• V Pranav beat Aryan Tari (NOR) 1-1, 1.5-0.5

• Aravindh Chithambaram lost to K Venkatramanan (IND)

• Raunak Sadhwani lost to Robert Hovhannisyan (ARM) 1-1, 0-2