Goa: India’s once 24-strong contingent at the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa has now been reduced to just two contenders — Arjun Erigaisi and Harikrishna Pentala. The country’s top seed R Praggnanandhaa, one of the tournament’s biggest hopes, was eliminated in the fourth round after a tense 2.5–1.5 defeat to Russian Grandmaster Daniil Dubov in the tiebreaks.
The early exit of Praggnanandhaa — who reached the final in the 2023 World Cup before losing to Magnus Carlsen — has left India’s campaign resting on the shoulders of Erigaisi and Harikrishna.
Praggnanandhaa’s Exit: A Painful End to a Promising Run
Ranked world No.7 and seeded third in the tournament, Praggnanandhaa came into the World Cup in fine form, having had a consistent season. But against Dubov, the 2020 Rapid Chess World Champion, he looked slightly out of rhythm.
His first classical game in the fourth round was error-prone, and though he managed a draw in the second, Dubov’s superior strategy in the rapid tiebreakers sealed the match.
“I had told my friends that the strategy was to make draws with white and play more actively with black, because Praggnanandhaa is always ambitious with white,” Dubov said after the match. “Eventually, I got the better chances when I switched sides.”
Despite the loss, Praggnanandhaa remains in contention for the 2025 Candidates Tournament through the FIDE Circuit Winner slot, ensuring his World Championship path is still open.
Harikrishna Pentala’s Resurgence: A Veteran’s Second Wind
At 39, Harikrishna Pentala is enjoying a renaissance that many in the chess world hoped to see. A former prodigy and 2004 World Junior Champion, Harikrishna was once the youngest Indian Grandmaster and even surpassed Viswanathan Anand in live ratings to briefly become India’s No.1.
Though eclipsed in recent years by a new generation led by Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Erigaisi, Harikrishna’s class has endured. His fifth-round qualification in Goa, after defeating Swedish GM Nils Grandelius, marks a significant milestone in his long career.
Harikrishna’s boldest moment came earlier in the tournament when he sacrificed his queen in the eighth move against Russian GM Arseniy Nesterov — a move he had analyzed for nearly a decade.
“I had that line prepared for nine years,” he told Lichess. “I finally decided to trust my instincts — and it worked.”
That single act of courage not only won him the match but also reignited his belief against a highly competitive field.
In recent years, Harikrishna has contributed behind the scenes as well — helping Ju Wenjun retain her Women’s World Championship title in 2023 and assisting Gukesh Dommaraju during his own World Championship victory last year.
Arjun Erigaisi Rediscovers His Rhythm
Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi, India’s world No.6 and top seed in Goa, is living up to expectations. The 22-year-old entered the World Cup with one goal: securing his spot in the Candidates Tournament after narrowly missing qualification in 2023.
Erigaisi has been clinical, winning his first three rounds convincingly. In the fourth round, he faced Hungarian veteran Peter Leko, the 2004 World Championship runner-up. Both classical games ended in draws, but in the rapid tiebreaks, Leko’s errors proved costly.
Erigaisi capitalized with precision, winning both rapid games to seal his place in the pre-quarterfinals. His performance in Goa so far has reaffirmed why he is seen as India’s most stable performer on the global stage.
India’s Chess Landscape: Two Paths Forward
With Praggnanandhaa’s exit, Indian fans are now rallying behind Arjun Erigaisi and Harikrishna Pentala, representing two contrasting but inspiring stories — one of a young prodigy peaking at the right time, and another of a veteran rediscovering his spark.
As the FIDE World Cup enters its decisive phase, India’s hopes remain alive — if not as strong as expected, then certainly as resilient as ever.
Key Highlights
- Praggnanandhaa exits after 2.5–1.5 defeat to Daniil Dubov.
- Arjun Erigaisi and Harikrishna Pentala remain India’s last two contenders.
- Harikrishna’s queen sacrifice and tactical flair draw global attention.
- Erigaisi’s strong run keeps his Candidates hopes alive.
- India began with 24 players; only two remain in contention.