November 12, 2025 : The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in Baku witnessed a tense and tactical day in Round 4, Game 1, as Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa held Russia’s Daniil Dubov to a fighting draw after surviving a difficult middlegame.
It was a day of balance and resilience for the Indian contingent, as Arjun Erigaisi, Pentala Harikrishna, Pranav V, and Karthik Venkataraman also settled for draws in their respective encounters against elite opponents. With all five Indian players still undefeated in this round, hopes remain high for decisive results in the second classical game on Thursday.
Pragg’s Resilience Against Dubov’s Dynamism
Facing Daniil Dubov, known for his creative and unpredictable style, Praggnanandhaa — playing Black — opted for the Sicilian Defence, aiming to neutralize Dubov’s aggressive setup. The game quickly escalated into a sharp middlegame where Dubov sacrificed a pawn to open lines on the kingside.
Pragg, however, displayed remarkable composure under pressure, calculating deeply and defending accurately. His precise resource 21…Nf6! diffused Dubov’s attacking chances and led to mass exchanges by move 35.
After a few tactical skirmishes, the game reached an equal rook-and-bishop ending where neither side could make progress. The players agreed to a draw after 52 moves.
Analysts praised the 19-year-old Chennai prodigy for his fighting spirit. “Pragg showed great defensive maturity today. Dubov had momentum, but the youngster never lost control,” said GM Peter Svidler during the live broadcast.
With the white pieces in the next game, Praggnanandhaa will look to push for a win and secure his place in Round 5, inching closer to the World Cup quarterfinals.
Arjun Erigaisi Neutralizes Rapport’s Pressure
India’s top-ranked classical player Arjun Erigaisi faced the imaginative Hungarian GM Richard Rapport. The game began with a Ruy Lopez, where Arjun as Black played the Berlin Defence, often referred to as the “Berlin Wall” due to its solidity.
Rapport tried to complicate matters with an early kingside expansion, but Arjun responded with textbook precision, keeping the balance throughout. After exchanging queens on move 25, both players maneuvered in a symmetrical endgame, which soon fizzled into a peaceful draw.
Chess commentator Lawrence Trent remarked, “Arjun’s positional understanding is world-class. Even against Rapport, who thrives in chaos, he remained calm and clinical.”
Harikrishna Steady Against Giri
Veteran Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna produced a fine defensive performance against Dutch star Anish Giri. Playing with the white pieces in a Nimzo-Indian Defence, Harikrishna achieved a small space advantage but couldn’t convert it into anything tangible as Giri’s deep preparation held firm.
The game ended after a threefold repetition on move 44. Harikrishna, known for his endgame prowess, remains well-placed to challenge in the second classical encounter.
Pranav and Karthik Impress in Debuts
The two youngest Indian representatives, GM Pranav Venkatesh and GM Karthik Venkataraman, continued to impress with mature play against seasoned opposition.
Pranav, playing White, faced the experienced GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek of Poland. The 18-year-old opted for a London System, gaining a slight edge early on, but Wojtaszek’s accurate defense ensured equality. The game concluded in a balanced rook ending.
Meanwhile, Karthik Venkataraman held GM Nikita Vitiugov, a former Russian champion, to a creditable draw with Black. Playing the Caro-Kann Defence, Karthik demonstrated excellent opening preparation and endgame understanding, forcing his higher-rated opponent to split the point.
India’s Steady Momentum Continues
India’s strong collective performance at the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 is drawing global attention. With five players still in contention, this is the largest-ever Indian representation in the tournament’s Round 4 stage.
Chess analyst Tania Sachdev summed it up well: “The new generation of Indian players — from Pragg to Arjun, Pranav to Karthik — are showing that consistency is their biggest strength. They may not win every game, but they refuse to lose.”
The second classical game of Round 4 will be critical, as any win will directly secure qualification for Round 5. If matches remain tied after two classical games, rapid and blitz tiebreaks will determine the winner.
Tournament Overview
The 2025 FIDE Chess World Cup features 206 of the world’s best players, including reigning World Champion Ding Liren, Magnus Carlsen, and India’s Viswanathan Anand, who is participating as a wildcard entrant.
The event serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which will determine the next challenger for the World Championship title.
As things stand, India’s campaign continues to reflect both depth and diversity, combining the experience of Harikrishna and the youthful energy of Praggnanandhaa and Arjun.
If even two or three of them progress to the quarterfinals, it would mark a historic milestone for Indian chess — reinforcing the nation’s growing dominance on the global stage.
Summary
Praggnanandhaa held Dubov in a tense Round 4 clash at the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025, while Arjun Erigaisi, Harikrishna, Pranav, and Karthik all secured solid draws.