As the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 progresses, Indian player Karthik Venkataraman has been eliminated by Vietnam's GM Le Quang Liem. This loss marks the 21st elimination for Indian players, leaving only three competitors in the tournament: Arjun Erigaisi, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Harikrishna Pentala. To advance to Round 5, all three need to win their respective tiebreak matches on Thursday.
In the match between German players Alexander Donchenko and Matthias Bluebaum, Donchenko emerged victorious, while Bluebaum expressed disappointment despite securing a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament due to his previous success at the Grand Swiss 2025 event.
Additional matches saw Arjun Erigaisi and Peter Leko conclude their game in a draw, which means they will also head to tiebreaks. Meanwhile, Harikrishna managed to draw his match against Nils Grandelius, bouncing back from a challenging situation. The tight match between Harikrishna and Nils had significant implications, as a loss would have meant elimination for both players.
R. Praggnanandhaa faced off against Daniil Dubov, culminating in a sudden draw after what had originally promised to be an intense battle. Despite being a pawn up, Praggnanandhaa had to contend with Dubov’s advantageous bishop pair, and both players opted for tiebreaks instead.
The standout performer has been Mexican Grandmaster Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara, who secured his position in Round 5 by defeating both Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Alexey Sarana in consecutive matches.
Among the three remaining Indian competitors, intense battles unfold with Erigaisi navigating his game against Leko while also having a time advantage. Harikrishna is set to transition into the endgame against Grandelius, whereas Praggnanandhaa is cleverly maneuvering against Dubov's pressure.
This year's World Cup event has experienced its fair share of surprises, leading to the unexpected elimination of well-known players like D. Gukesh, Anish Giri, and Ian Nepomniachtchi. With only three Indian players remaining, the stakes are high as they prepare for the tiebreaks ahead, with hopes resting on their shoulders to advance further in the prestigious tournament.