New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi was held to a draw by 12-year-old Argentine sensation Oro Faustino in the first game of the second round of the FIDE World Cup here on Tuesday.

Called the ‘Messi of Chess’ back home due to his extraordinary talent and rapid rise in the sport, Faustino, who famously defeated higher ranked Ante Brkic of Croatia in the opener, came up with another impressive performance with his black pieces.

The Argentine prodigy started off with the Berlin defense and Gujrathi went for the middle game which gave an easy equality to Faustino. The Indian did try to find some flaws in black’s position but decided against any undue risk and repeated the position three times. The game lasted 28 moves.

12-year-old Faustino Oro advances to round two! #2025FIDEWorld

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