Arjun Erigaisi and Harikrishna Impress in FIDE World Cup 2025 Round 3

Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and P Harikrishna produced outstanding victories in the third round of the FIDE World Cup 2025, strengthening India’s strong showing in the tournament. World Champion D Gukesh, however, was held to a draw in his opening game of the round, maintaining balance in a tense contest.

Erigaisi Dominates Vokhidov in 30 Moves

Arjun Erigaisi, India’s top-ranked participant, showcased flawless tactical control against Uzbekistan’s Shamsiddin Vokhidov. Playing with white, he converted a small positional advantage into a decisive win in only 30 moves. The performance continued his perfect start to the event, having already advanced comfortably through the earlier rounds.

Harikrishna’s Sharp Preparation Pays Off

Veteran Grandmaster P Harikrishna stunned Belgium’s Daniel Dardha with an unexpected twist in the Sicilian Classical variation. His precise preparation and sharp calculation led to a swift 25-move victory, forcing an early resignation. Harikrishna revealed after the match that he had prepared the line specifically for this encounter, using subtle tactical ideas that caught his opponent off guard.

Mixed Results for Other Indian Contenders

While Erigaisi and Harikrishna celebrated victories, the other Indian stars — D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gujrathi — were all held to draws with black pieces. The trio will now switch to white in the second leg of Round 3, aiming to press for wins that would secure advancement into the fourth round of the competition.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The FIDE World Cup 2025 is part of the World Championship qualification cycle.
• Arjun Erigaisi is currently India’s highest-rated classical player.
• P Harikrishna is one of India’s most experienced Grandmasters, with previous World Cup appearances since 2005.
• D Gukesh became World Champion earlier in 2025 after defeating Ding Liren.

Next Challenges and Tournament Outlook

The second games of Round 3 are scheduled for Saturday, where Indian players will seek decisive results with the white pieces. With strong early performances, India remains a formidable presence in this year’s World Cup, aiming to send multiple players into the final stages of the prestigious global chess event.