FIDE World Cup 2025 R4.2: Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa and Harikrishna to play tie-breaks
Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa and Pentala Harikrishna will have to play tie-breaks tomorrow at FIDE World Cup 2025. Arjun and Praggnanandhaa played well contested draws against Peter Leko (HUN) and Daniil Dubov respectively. Harikrishna blundered a pawn and found himself in a bit of pickle. However, he managed to avert any disaster and escape with a draw against Nils Grandelius (SWE). Pranav Venkatesh and Karthik Venkataraman got eliminated by Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) and Liem Quang Le (VIE) respectively. Round 4 tie-break games start tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed
Pranav and Karthik get eliminated; Donchenko, Yakubboev, Jose, Liem and Aronian are through to Round 5
Three out of five Indian players are still in the fray. Two of them got eliminated. Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa and Pentala Harikrishna will play tie-break games tomorrow against Peter Leko (HUN), Daniil Dubov and Nils Grandelius (SWE) respectively. The only two-time World Cup winner in history mentioned in a post-match interview that he would prefer to play Arjun in Round 5 instead of Leko. The reason being he has a lot of games against Leko and less against Arjun. We will know tomorrow if a new chapter of Arjun-Aronian saga will be written at this monumental event. You can visit the venue and watch the games live in person. Check the buy tickets link at the end of the article for all details.
Arjun - Leko: 1-1
GM Arjun Erigaisi (2769) and GM Peter Leko (HUN, 2660) played a well-contested draw. They will face each other in tie-breaks tomorrow. The winner of the match will face GM Levon Aronian (USA) in Round 5.
Praggnanandhaa - Dubov: 1-1
GM R Praggnanandhaa (2768) played a solid draw against the former World Rapid champion, GM Daniil Dubov (2674). Unlike the first game, Praggnanandhaa played much better, neither side got any opportunity and it ended after 30 moves.
Donchenko - Bluebaum: 1.5-0.5
The All-German clash between GM Alexander Donchenko (2641) and GM Matthias Blueabum (2680) was won by the former. Donchenko mentioned that the first time they faced each other was at a youth tournament back in 2011. He obviously would have preferred to face someone he doesn't know than his childhood friend at this stage of the World Cup.
In an already difficult position, Black played 27...Kf8?? 28.Na4+- b5 29.Nb6 Rb8 30.Nxd5 Rd6 31.Nxf6 and White went on to convert his advantage into a win comfortably.
Yakubboev - Pranav: 1.5-0.5
The reigning World Junior champion, GM Pranav Venkatesh (2641) got into a worse position out of the Scotch Game opening against GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB, 2689). In an already difficult position, Pranav did not play precisely and things worsened. Yakubboev will face the winner of the match between GM Awonder Liang (USA) and GM Gabriel Sargissian (ARM).
Parham - Wei: 1-1
GM Wei Yi (CHN, 2753) was winning the better part of the same color bishop endgame against GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI, 2701).
The above endgame is winning for Black in multiple ways. However, it is not as easy as it may seem to be. He played the one of the few moves he should not have played 45...g4? It allowed White to escape with a draw 46.Kf4=. Find out why it does not work and what were the various winning options for White. Parham escaped the jaws of defeat and will play tie-breaks tomorrow.
Sarana - Jose Martinez: 0.5-1.5
Mexico no.1, GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara (2644) got himself a decisive advantage in less than 15 moves against the Serbia no.1, GM Alexey Sarana (2675).
Despite getting a decisive advantage, Jose decided to repeat moves and settle for a draw as it was enough for him to win the match and secure his place in the fifth round, aka Round of 16.
Harikrishna - Grandelius: 1-1
GM Pentala Harikrishn (2690) managed to escape with a draw against GM Nils Grandelius (SWE, 2661) after blundering a pawn due to possible momentary blind spot. They will play tie-breaks tomorrow.
Karthik - Liem: 0.5-1.5
GM Karthik Venkataraman (2576) declined a queen trade in the middlegame and then things started going downhill. GM Liem Quang Le (VIE, 2729) capitalized on his advantage and went on to win the game. Liem will face Donchenko in Round 5.
Wojtaszek - Aronian: 0.5-1.5
GM Levon Aronian (USA, 2728) drew an exciting game against GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek (POL, 2660) to advance to Round 5. He will face the winner of the match between GM Peter Leko (HUN) and GM Arjun Erigaisi.
For more photos, please click here.
Round 4.2 results
GM Arjun Erigaisi - GM Peter Leko (HUN): 1-1
GM Daniil Dubov - GM R Praggnanandhaa: 1-1
GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) - GM Pranav Venkatesh: 1.5-0.5
GM Pentala Harikrishna - GM Nils Grandelius (SWE): 1-1
GM Karthik Venkataraman - GM Liem Quang Le (VIE): 0.5-1.5
Round 4 tie-break pairings
GM Arjun Erigaisi - GM Peter Leko (HUN)
GM Daniil Dubov - GM R Praggnanandhaa
GM Pentala Harikrishna - GM Nils Grandelius (SWE)
