FIDE World Cup 2025: Diptayan Ghosh upsets Ian Nepomniachthi with black

Panaji: Grandmaster Diptayan Ghosh pulled off a major upset with black pieces, stunning two-time Candidates winner Ian Nepomniachtchi, while GM P Harikrishna produced a near-flawless performance to outplay Arseniy Nesterov and advance to the third round of the FIDE World Cup 2025 here on Wednesday.

Also advancing to the next round were world champion Gukesh D and highest-ranked Indian Arjun Erigaisi. Gukesh, who was held to a draw with white pieces in the first game, defeated 2024 world junior champion Kazybek Nogerbek of Kazakhstan in 59 moves to reach the third round.

Arjun was the only Indian to grab full points in both games as he defeated GM Martin Petrov of Bulgaria in 48 moves with white pieces to make it two wins in two games.

But the day undoubtedly belonged to Diptayan. Having drawn the first game of Round 2 against Nepomniachthi with white pieces, the Indian Grandmaster took advantage of a slight error from the Russian in the opening exchanges and made the most of it to win in 47 moves. IANS

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