Chess World Cup 2025: A total disaster for India

Chess World Cup 2025: Among the Indians, V Pranav looked the best as the World Junior Champion reached the fourth round.

Updated on: Dec 2, 2025, 06:04:03 IST

By Neelav Chakravarti

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The 2025 Chess World Cup was recently held at Resort Rio in Goa, and Javokhir Sindarov came out on top, beating China's Wei Yi in the final. It was a thrilling tournament with its fair share of surprises, but from India's perspective, it was a total disaster.

Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, makes the first move for D Gukesh during Game 1 of Round 2. (Michal Walusza/FIDE)

The semifinal didn't have anyone from the host country, which was actually ironic, considering the amount of money invested in some of India's top GMs and also their fan following.

Also Read: D Gukesh slips out of top ten in official FIDE chess rankings, Arjun Erigaisi India No. 1

Arjun Erigaisi had the only consistent showing, advancing easily to the quarterfinals. However, he failed to find his footing in the quarters against Wei and lost the showdown, much to the disappointment of Indian fans.

What made it more disappointing for Indian fans is that Arjun needed to finish within the top three in Goa to qualify for the Candidates next year. Now he is going to miss the tournament and won't be able to challenge Gukesh for the World C'ship title.

Meanwhile, for Gukesh, it was the usual, as he put in another boring show this year. It appears that the Indian GM has lost his momentum after becoming the youngest-ever world champion. Although he has beaten Magnus Carlsen this year, but his ranking has taken a huge hit, and he is the current World No. 10. R Praggnanandhaa also failed to perform in Goa. Despite his poor display, Praggnanandhaa is closing in on bagging the final Candidates berth through the FIDE Circuit.

Among the Indians, V Pranav looked the best as the World Junior Champion reached the fourth round. Meanwhile, even Diptayan Ghosh's second-round win against Ian Nepomniachtchi was epic and will be remembered for ages, especially due to the Russian GM's meltdown after the defeat.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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