New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa survived a tense encounter against Russia’s Daniil Dubov to secure a draw with white pieces in the opening game of Round 4 at the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Panaji, Goa, on Tuesday.
It was a mixed day for the Indian contingent, as Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, P. Harikrishna, and Karthik Venkataraman also split points in their respective matches. Playing black, second seed Arjun Erigaisi drew his game in just 20 moves against Hungarian veteran Peter Leko, while Harikrishna held Sweden’s Nils Grandelius to a 32-move draw. Karthik too shared the spoils with Vietnam’s Le Quang Liem after 36 moves.
In one of the day’s most intense battles, Praggnanandhaa faced significant pressure after an inaccurate 14th move, where pushing his d-pawn allowed Dubov counterplay. The 19-year-old Indian prodigy found himself in time trouble as Dubov searched for a decisive breakthrough. However, the Russian missed his chance, and the game eventually ended in a 41-move draw after both players scrambled to reach the time control.
Meanwhile, Peter Leko, competing in his first individual event in six years, chose not to take risks against Arjun’s well-prepared line, opting for a draw by repetition. Reflecting on the game, Leko acknowledged Arjun’s strong opening preparation and expressed confidence ahead of the next round, where he will play with black pieces.
Elsewhere, two-time World Cup winner Levon Aronian defeated Poland’s Radoslaw Wojtaszek in 37 moves with white, and Peru’s Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara overcame Alexey Sarana of Serbia in 39 moves with black.
All four Indian players remain in contention heading into the second leg of Round 4, where decisive results will determine who advances to the pre-quarterfinals.
In Round 4, Game 1 of the FIDE World Cup 2025, all four Indian Grandmasters settled for draws, with Arjun Erigaisi sharing points with Hungary’s Peter Leko, R Praggnanandhaa holding Daniil Dubov, P Harikrishna drawing against Sweden’s Nils Grandelius, and Karthik Venkataraman splitting points with Vietnam’s Le Quang Liem.
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