FIDE World Cup R 2 Day 2: Gukesh and Erigaisi Advance as Wesley So and Nepomniachtchi Exit
Day 2 of Round 2 at the FIDE World Cup 2025 brought everything chess fans dream of — surprises, nerves, brilliance, and heartbreak.
World Champion Gukesh D continued his amazing form. Playing with Black, he confidently defeated Kazybek Nogerbek to move into Round 3. Outside the hall, hundreds of fans cheered as Gukesh walked out — a reminder of how fast he’s becoming a global chess icon and how deeply India loves its chess heroes.
Joining him in the next round were Arjun Erigaisi, Anish Giri, Wei Yi, and Vincent Keymer, who all won their matches without needing tiebreaks.
However, several top seeds like Praggnanandhaa, Abdusattorov, Mamedyarov, and Hans Niemann couldn’t close their matches in classical games. They’ll fight again in the rapid and blitz tiebreaks — always the most thrilling part of the event.
Big Exits: Nepomniachtchi and Wesley So Shocked
The biggest upset of the day came when Ian Nepomniachtchi, two-time World Championship finalist, was knocked out by GM Diptayan Ghosh from India. Ghosh played a flawless attacking game with Black to eliminate one of the top favourites — a huge achievement for the 27-year-old grandmaster from Kolkata.
Equally shocking was Wesley So’s exit. Against Titas Stremavicius, rated over 200 points lower, So blundered under time pressure and resigned in a position that was actually drawn! It was a heartbreaking end for one of the most solid players in the world.
Other well-known names — Ray Robson, Vassily Ivanchuk, David Navara, and Johan-Sebastian Christiansen — also exited the tournament.
The Calm Before the Storm
Before the round began, the playing hall was filled with quiet focus — the calm before battle. Players like Wesley So, Pranav V, Maksimovic, Lodici, and Yu Yangyi arrived early, preparing in silence.
Meanwhile, 12-year-old prodigy IM Faustino Oro from Argentina once again drew attention with his calm, focused demeanor. His opponent, India’s GM Vidit Gujrathi, greeted him warmly and meditated briefly before the start. Vidit’s mother, dressed in a beautiful chess-themed sari, was also there to support her son — a touching sight for fans.
Nearby, Anish Giri and Hans Niemann shared a few jokes, showing the lighter side of chess before competition took over. Felix Blohberger, a rising ChessTuber, followed his usual ritual of using earplugs, while Shakhriyar Mamedyarov arrived alongside his 14-year-old protégé Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş — a beautiful symbol of chess across generations.
The Legendary Ivanchuk
Chess legend Vassily Ivanchuk, one of the most experienced World Cup players in history, followed his trademark routine — pacing calmly around the hall before taking his seat. Even after decades at the top, “Chuki” remains as fascinating and unpredictable as ever.
Opening Ceremony and Early Highlights
The ceremonial first move was made by Łukasz Turlej, FIDE Secretary General, on the board of Praggnanandhaa R vs Temur Kuybokarov. The event also welcomed Santosh Sukhadeve, Sports Secretary for the Government of Goa.
Among early results, Levon Aronian secured qualification after drawing his game against IM Aronyak Ghosh, while Richard Rapport scored an impressive 2–0 win over Luis Paulo Supi. His brilliant move 27.Rc7! sealed the victory in style — classic Rapport creativity.
Game of the Day: Harikrishna’s Queen Sacrifice Masterpiece
The highlight of the day came from GM Pentala Harikrishna, who produced a stunning positional queen sacrifice against Arseniy Nesterov. Playing fearlessly, Harikrishna gave up his queen early to unleash powerful piece play and total domination.
The final position after 29.h4 was pure artistry — Black’s pieces were completely paralyzed. It was a reminder of Harikrishna’s deep understanding and creative brilliance, earning him the “Game of the Day” honor.
Round 2 Tiebreaks Ahead
With 27 matches heading into tiebreaks, fans can expect fireworks in the next round. The top pairings to watch include:
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Praggnanandhaa R vs Temur Kuybokarov
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Nodirbek Abdusattorov vs Denis Makhnev
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Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Gergely Kantor
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Hans Niemann vs Lorenzo Lodici
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Vidit Gujrathi vs Faustino Oro
The tiebreaks begin on November 6 at 3 PM local time, live on FIDE’s YouTube channel, with commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson.
The World Cup in Goa continues to deliver world-class chess, human stories, and unforgettable drama — proving once again why it’s one of the most exciting events in the chess calendar.
Photos: Michal Walusza, Eteri Kublashvili, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
