FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, Day 3: Maghsoodloo and Vaishali Lead the Way
Day 3 of the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 was full of drama, long battles, and costly mistakes. After nearly six hours of play, Parham Maghsoodloo defeated Alireza Firouzja to take the sole lead in the Open section. In the Women’s event, Vaishali Rameshbabu showed nerves of steel and beat Olga Badelka to claim first place.
Maghsoodloo Stuns Firouzja
The spotlight game of the day was between Firouzja and Maghsoodloo. The two former compatriots fought a complicated endgame in the Najdorf. Firouzja defended well, but after more than five hours, he blundered with 43.Rb6??. Maghsoodloo seized the chance and converted the win with perfect precision.
This was a crushing blow for Firouzja, who was one of the early favorites.
Arjun, Praggnanandhaa, and Abdusattorov Win
India’s Arjun Erigaisi battled Anton Demchenko in a tense Petroff Defence. Twice, Arjun missed his chance, but when Demchenko blundered with 61…Rc4??, the Indian grandmaster punished him instantly.
Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa outplayed veteran Boris Gelfand in a sharp queen-and-rook endgame, while Nodirbek Abdusattorov overcame Abhimanyu Puranik after a long fight.
World Champion Gukesh D also impressed, beating Daniil Yufa in the Ragozin Defence. Yufa’s early mistake left him a pawn down by move seven, and Gukesh never let go of the advantage.
Fighting Chess Across the Boards
One of the most exciting games came from Robert Hovhannisyan vs Vladimir Fedoseev in the Scandinavian Defence. Hovhannisyan sacrificed material, kept attacking, and eventually converted his advantage in style.
After three rounds, Maghsoodloo leads with 3 points, while six players follow closely on 2.5/3.
Vaishali Takes Charge in the Women’s Event
In the Women’s Grand Swiss, only two players entered round three with perfect scores – Vaishali Rameshbabu and Olga Badelka. Their direct clash was dramatic.
Vaishali, down to her final minute on the clock, boldly pushed 25.g4. Badelka miscalculated and fell into a losing position. Vaishali stayed calm, used her extra piece well, and secured victory. With this win, she now leads the Women’s section.
Other Women’s Results
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Kateryna Lagno defeated Xeniya Balabayeva after a critical endgame blunder.
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Yuxin Song won against India’s Vantika Agrawal.
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Dinara Wagner beat Meruert Kamalidenova.
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Bibisara Assaubayeva drew with Ulviyya Fataliyeva.
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Stavroula Tsolakidou produced a brilliant sacrifice to defeat Eline Roebers.
About the FIDE Grand Swiss
The FIDE Grand Swiss is part of the World Chess Championship cycle. The tournament began in 2019, with the Women’s edition starting in 2021. It is known as one of the toughest and most unpredictable events in the world.
The 2025 edition runs from September 4 to 15 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The Open features 116 players, while 56 compete in the Women’s event. The prize fund is $855,000. The top two finishers in each category will qualify for the World Candidates Tournament.
All rounds are broadcast live on FIDE’s official YouTube channel.
Photos: Michal Walusza, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
