The Goa Gambit: India’s Chess Dream Rolls On
Panaji, Nov 7: In the heart of Goa, where most people come for sunsets and susegad, a different kind of storm is brewing. The FIDE World Cup 2025 has turned into a chess festival for India, and the grandmasters are dancing like maestros on the 64 squares.
Arjun Erigaisi and P Harikrishna have turned the tournament into their personal classroom, while Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gujrathi are showing the world that calm confidence can be as lethal as a queen sacrifice.
This isn’t just another tournament. It’s India’s chess renaissance in motion – an orchestra of strategy, patience, and poise.
FIDE World Cup 2025 – Key Details at a Glance
| Player | Opponent (Country) | Result (Round 3) | Highlight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arjun Erigaisi | Shamsiddin Vokhidov (Uzbekistan) | Win (30 moves) | Pure positional squeeze | Needs draw to advance |
| P Harikrishna | Daniel Dardha (Belgium) | Win (25 moves) | Sicilian prep masterclass | One draw from next round |
| D Gukesh | Frederik Svane (Germany) | Draw | Pragmatic control | Plays white next |
| R Praggnanandhaa | Robert Hovhannisyan (Armenia) | Draw | Tactical balance | White next game |
| Vidit Gujrathi | Sam Shankland (USA) | Draw | Smooth defence | White advantage next |
Arjun Erigaisi – Precision Meets Poetry
Arjun isn’t just playing chess, he’s composing it. Against Uzbekistan’s Shamsiddin Vokhidov, he played like a surgeon – no panic, no wasted moves, just surgical precision.
At one point, Arjun paused for a full ten minutes, not out of confusion but calculation. It was the calm before the checkmate storm. He dismantled his opponent in 30 moves flat, as if he had seen the game ten steps ahead from the start.
It’s easy to forget he’s just 21. Watching him play feels like seeing Viswanathan Anand’s discipline merged with Magnus Carlsen’s fearlessness. He’s not chasing wins anymore – he’s building legacies, one calculated move at a time.
Harikrishna’s Masterclass – Old School Cool
P Harikrishna may not shout on social media, but on the board, his moves make all the noise. Against Belgium’s Daniel Dardha, he rolled out a classical Sicilian that felt straight out of the 90s – only sharper, deadlier.
Within 25 moves, the Belgian was in deep water. The twist? Harikrishna later admitted that he had “half-forgotten” the preparation. And yet, his instinct carried him through, showing why experience in chess is like old wine – it only gets stronger with time.
Harikrishna’s performance reminded many of Anand’s early years – unassuming, prepared, and unshakeably calm. In an era where chess is driven by engines, Harikrishna still proves that intuition is the most powerful processor of all.
Gukesh, Pragg and Vidit – The Art of the Draw
While Arjun and Hari went for the jugular, Gukesh, Pragg and Vidit chose restraint over recklessness. Gukesh, playing black against Germany’s Frederik Svane, showed why he’s the world champion. No risks, no rush – just clinical control.
Praggnanandhaa, facing Armenia’s Robert Hovhannisyan, played like a street-smart chess hustler – knowing exactly when to trade and when to tease. And Vidit, the gentleman grandmaster, neutralised America’s Sam Shankland in a perfectly balanced endgame.
For these three, Round 3 wasn’t about fireworks – it was about foundations. They’ll now return with the white pieces, ready to push for full points with quiet aggression.
India’s Chess Generation – From Anand’s Torch to Arjun’s Time
Once upon a time, India had one chess hero. Today, it has a battalion. Ten Indians have reached Round 3, a statistic that tells a story louder than any headline.
Arjun is the face of precision, Gukesh the embodiment of composure, Pragg the symbol of creative chaos, Vidit the master of structure, and Harikrishna the mentor in motion. Together, they represent what Anand began – a culture, not just a career path.
India isn’t chasing the world in chess anymore – it’s defining the pace.
Samay’s Voice
India’s chess isn’t just growing – it’s evolving. The torch Anand lit is now a wildfire, and Goa is glowing in its flame.
