Drama in Goa: Shocking Upsets and Rising Stars at the FIDE World Cup 2025
- Prakhar Bhatnagar
- Nov 6
- 3 min read
The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 has turned Goa into the heartbeat of the chess world. Set against the breezy backwaters of Arpora, the tournament is just two rounds deep — and it’s already delivering drama, heartbreak, and unforgettable storylines.
This year’s event is massive: 206 players, a USD 2 million prize fund, and three golden tickets to the 2026 Candidates Tournament. The format is simple but brutal — lose a match, and your journey ends immediately.
Round 2 has only just begun, but some giants have already fallen.
A Quick Look at the Format
Event Dates: 31 October – 27 November 2025
Knockout System: Single elimination, eight rounds total
Top 50 Seeds Start From Round 2
Match Structure:
2 Classical games
If tied → Rapid playoffs
Still tied → Blitz
Still tied → Armageddon (someone must win)
No second chances. No coasting. Every move has consequences.
And yes — tension is everywhere.
Round 2: Where Shockwaves Began
Round 2 has been ruthless. 27 matches are headed to tiebreaks, and some of the biggest names in chess have already been sent home.
The Upsets Everyone Is Talking About
Ian Nepomniachtchi, a two-time World Championship challenger, was knocked out by Diptayan Ghosh. One of the biggest shocks of the event so far.
Wesley So suffered a heartbreaking exit after resigning a position that was actually drawn. A rare misjudgment at the elite level.
Other notable departures include:
Vassily Ivanchuk
Ray Robson
David Navara
Johan-Sebastian Christiansen
Even India’s highly-rated Aravindh Chithambaram couldn’t survive the early volatility.
This World Cup is proving once again: ratings don’t save you here — nerves do.
Indian Contenders Rising Strong on Home Soil
India entered with 24 players. After Round 1, 17 remained — a remarkable display of depth.
And several of the country’s biggest names are shining:
World Champion D. Gukesh advanced confidently after defeating Kazybek Nogerbek. The crowd reception in Goa? Electric.
Arjun Erigaisi has been clinical, winning his Round 2 match outright without needing tiebreaks.
Pentala Harikrishna delivered one of the games of the tournament, sacrificing his queen for long-term positional domination — and winning with style.
The home fans are loving every minute of it.
The Youngest Headlines: 12-Year-Old IM Faustino Oro
One of the most charming stories of the tournament is 12-year-old IM Faustino Oro, who:
Survived an eight-game tiebreak marathon in Round 1
Then played Vidit Gujrathi to a draw in classical time control in Round 2
The kid is playing without fear — and winning hearts in Goa.
Other rising talents to note:
IM Aronyak Ghosh, who fought through a six-game Round 1 thriller to face Levon Aronian.
IM Shixu Wang, who stunned GM Leon Mendonca in Round 1, reminding everyone that early rounds are a minefield.
Matches to Watch Next
The Round 2 tiebreaks are a lineup of heavyweight clashes:
Matchup | Why It Matters |
Praggnanandhaa vs. Temur Kuybokarov | Pragg enters as a favorite, but Kuybokarov has momentum. |
Vidit vs. Faustino Oro | Can the 12-year-old keep the fairytale alive? |
Abdusattorov vs. Denis Makhnev | Youth vs. preparation — both extremely sharp players. |
Mamedyarov vs. Gergely Kantor | One of the most stylistically explosive pairings. |
Hans Niemann vs. Lorenzo Lodici | Expect intensity — and probably fireworks. |
Meanwhile, the Resort Rio Convention Centre has been buzzing — packed crowds, chess celebrities, and palpable tension on every board.
Event Timeline (For Fans Following Along)
Round 2: Nov 4–6
Round 3: Nov 7–9
Quarterfinals: Nov 17–19
Semifinals: Nov 21–23
Final: Nov 24–26 (including tiebreaks)
The top three finishers earn a place in the 2026 Candidates — the final step toward the next World Championship match.
The Story So Far
We’ve seen:
Legends fall.
Heroes rise.
A 12-year-old rewriting expectations.
And India’s chess wave growing stronger than ever.
And we’re only at Round 2.
Goa is giving us a world cup full of heart, courage, and chaos on the board — the kind of chess storytelling fans live for.
Stay tuned.This tournament is just getting started. Enjoyed this coverage? Be part of the journey.
We recently profiled one of India’s brightest young stars:
Meet Viaansh Bhatnagar (Age 7) — A rising talent reshaping what's possible.
We publish new stories, tournament updates, and insights every week.
🔔 Subscribe on ShareChess.com to never miss what’s next.
