World Junior Champion V Pranav and India’s top-rated GM Arjun Erigasi won their first games in Round 2 of the FIDE World Cup 2025 with black pieces, while Vidit Gujrathi managed a draw after surviving a time pressure scare

Hyderabad: World Junior Champion V Pranav and the highest-rated Indian GM Arjun Erigasi capitalized on errors 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 of the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Panaji (Goa) on Tuesday.

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

Arjun wa

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