In a thrilling second-round clash at the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa, India, 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa overcame Uzbek-Australian Temur Kuybokarov after a marathon tiebreak battle, advancing to the third round. The tournament, running from October 31 to November 26, features over 200 top players competing for a $2.5 million prize fund and spots in the Candidates Tournament. Praggnanandhaa, seeded second among Indians, faced a tough opponent rated around 2650 Elo, showcasing his resilience under pressure.
The match began with two classical draws, setting up intense tiebreaks. In the first set of 15+10 rapid games, Kuybokarov won convincingly, putting Praggnanandhaa on the brink. But in the second rapid game, the Australian blundered by moving his knight to f7, allowing Praggnanandhaa to force a draw via perpetual check from a +5.0 losing position. The 10+10 rapid tiebreaks saw more drama: Praggnanandhaa blundered an exchange in the first, handing Kuybokarov the win, but bounced back in the second by capitalizing on risky aggressive moves to secure victory.
The decider came in the 5+3 blitz games, where Praggnanandhaa’s faster format strength shone. He won both convincingly, clinching the match 5-3 overall and eliminating a potential upset. This victory marks Praggnanandhaa’s survival after a near-elimination, echoing his 2023 World Cup final run against Magnus Carlsen. Now, he faces Armenian GM Robert Hovhannisyan in Round 3, joining other Indians like Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi in strong form. The win boosts India’s campaign, with 10 players advancing so far, highlighting the nation’s rising chess prowess. Praggnanandhaa’s composure has fans excited for more high-stakes battles ahead.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
- What was the final score in Praggnanandhaa’s match against Kuybokarov?
Praggnanandhaa won the tiebreak match 5-3 after two classical draws, two rapid wins each, and securing both blitz games in the FIDE World Cup 2025 Round 2. - How did Praggnanandhaa turn the tide in the rapid tiebreaks?
He drew a losing rapid game via perpetual check after Kuybokarov’s knight blunder to f7, then won the next by exploiting risky moves, forcing blitz where he dominated. - Who will Praggnanandhaa face in the third round?
Praggnanandhaa advances to play Armenian Grandmaster Robert Hovhannisyan in Round 3 of the FIDE World Cup 2025, following his hard-fought victory over Kuybokarov.