FIDE World Cup Chaos in Goa: Top Stars Fall as Germans Shine
The third round of the 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa turned into pure chaos! Big names like World Champion Gukesh D, Anish Giri, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov were knocked out, while the German grandmasters stole the spotlight.
Germany’s team — Keymer, Bluebaum, Donchenko, and the Svane brothers — had an unforgettable day at the Rio Resort. Four of them advanced to Round 4, including two huge upset wins over the top seeds Gukesh and Giri. Their teamwork and camaraderie off the board seem to be paying off brilliantly.
By the end of the day, 11 of the 32 matches were headed for tiebreaks. The battle for the final 32 spots in the World Cup continues tomorrow!
The Day Begins
The ceremonial first move was made by Mr. Ajit Roy (IAS), who played 1.e4 in the game between Gukesh and Frederik Svane. The playing hall was packed with fans since it was Saturday. To manage the crowd, organizers introduced timed entry slots — and the first one sold out instantly. It was the only chance for fans to take selfies with their favorite players!
Inside the Playing Hall
Normally, journalists head to the media center once the games begin, but today was different. Watching the first 30 minutes showed just how focused these grandmasters are. Most stayed glued to their chairs, thinking deeply even during their opponents’ moves. A few, though, preferred a short walk — each with their own unique style.
Anish Giri was the most frequent walker. Calm, upright, and composed, he looked like a man in total control. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave paced briskly and focused, calculating variations in his mind. Levon Aronian smiled and chatted as he walked, occasionally visiting the games of his old Armenian teammates.
Others like Mamedyarov, Erigaisi, and Keymer strolled with hands in pockets, while Dubov, Praggnanandhaa, and Rapport hung out near the refreshment area, following the games on big screens.
Early Qualification
The first player to qualify for Round 4 was GM Matthias Bluebaum, who calmly drew his second game to eliminate 15-year-old GM Ivan Zemlyanskii. The youngster impressed everyone and left Goa with €11,000 and valuable experience.
Upsets Everywhere
Another 2700+ player, Vladimir Fedoseev, was eliminated by Radoslaw Wojtaszek. The Polish grandmaster punished Fedoseev’s risky opening with precise play, proving why he remains one of the most solid players in the world.
Meanwhile, Jorden Van Foreest pulled off a thrilling comeback. Needing a win, he sacrificed a rook with 33.Rxh7!, and when Sarana made one mistake, the Dutch star trapped his queen and forced resignation. The match now heads to an exciting tiebreak!
Praggnanandhaa and Lodici Impress
R Praggnanandhaa continued his strong run with a convincing win over Robert Hovhannisyan. His confident play shows he’s one of the most in-form players in Goa.
Italy’s Lorenzo Lodici is the breakout star of the tournament. After eliminating Hans Niemann earlier, he defeated Michael Adams today to remain unbeaten. His fairytale run continues!
Giri and Gukesh Knocked Out
In one of the biggest surprises, Anish Giri was eliminated by Alexander Donchenko. Donchenko’s precise attack broke through in the final moments as Giri’s defense collapsed.
But the biggest shock came when World Champion Gukesh D was knocked out by Frederik Svane. Despite trying hard to create chances, a small mistake — 39.Re1? — allowed Svane to counterattack and win the endgame. It was the biggest win of Svane’s career.
Other Qualifiers
Also advancing to Round 4 are:
Arjun Erigaisi, Levon Aronian, Le Quang Liem, Pentala Harikrishna, Shant Sargsyan, Pranav V, Aleksey Grebnev, Vincent Keymer, Javokhir Sindarov, Awonder Liang, Parham Maghsoodloo, Nils Grandelius, and Gabriel Sargissian.
Peter Leko and José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara both won their matches 2–0. Martínez’s victory over Nodirbek Abdusattorov was one of the biggest upsets of the round.
Tiebreaks to Watch
Five tiebreaks to look forward to tomorrow:
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Vidit Gujrathi vs Sam Shankland
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Jorden Van Foreest vs Alexey Sarana
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Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Vladislav Artemiev
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Wei Yi vs Benjamin Gledura
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Yu Yangyi vs S. Narayanan
With so many giants already out, the tournament is wide open. The drama continues in Goa as the remaining players fight for a place in the next stage — and a shot at the Candidates!
Round 3 tiebreaks start November 9 at 3 PM local time. Watch live on the FIDE YouTube Channel with commentary by GMs Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Jan Gustafsson.
Photos: Michal Walusza, Eteri Kublashvili, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
