PANAJI(Goa): World Junior Champion V Pranav and the highest rated Indian GM Arjun Erigasi pounced on the error from their respective opponents to win with black pieces while Vidit Gujrathi survived a scare against the tournament’s youngest player in the first game of Round 2 in the FIDE World Cup 2025 here on Tuesday, as per a release from FIDE.

In a battle of two young stars, Pranav defeated Norway’s GM Aryan Tari in 41 moves, while Arjun got the better of Martin Petrov of Bulgaria in 37 moves and will be the favourites to advance as they play white in the second game.

The FIDE World Cup 2025 is played as a single-elimination knock-out tournament with 206 players from 82 countries vying for the coveted Viswanathan Anand Cup, named after the Indian legend.

A total of 17 Indian players a

See Full Page