The FIDE World Cup is in progress in Goa and the news from the Indian point of view is the premature exit of D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa. The former, the reigning world champion, lost in the third round. Latter, the runner-up from the previous edition in 2023, crashed out in the fourth.
These were setbacks indeed, considering that their opponents were rated below them. Frederik Svane of Germany took care of Gukesh. Russian Daniil Dubov packed off Praggnanandhaa. Gukesh is ranked ninth in the world and Praggnanandhaa seventh. Svane is 85th and Dubov 45th. These were tremors in a tournament which has already seen some illustrious players crash out.
From the spectator perspective, it was a sad outing for these two, who lit up the World Cup in 2023 and announced to the world the arrival of a bunch of young and dynamic Indian youngsters. They ruled the Olympiad last year by winning the gold medal and created ripples in other tournaments. Praggnanandhaa won three global events this year.
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From the point of view of these two boys — Gukesh is 19 and Praggnanandhaa 20 — this should not be heartbreak. What is stake at the World Cup? Apart from the prize money and fame, it’s the top three positions that assure berths in next year’s Candidates Championship. The winner of that eight-player elite event will challenge Gukesh for the World Championship crown. Praggnanandhaa is almost there, because he has an unassailable lead in the FIDE Circuit 2025 rankings. The topper of that qualifies for the Candidates.
Both of them have had a long year, playing in almost all the top tournaments, in every format including the new one called Freestyle chess. Gukesh beat world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in the classical as well as rapid formats to show that claims about him being not worthiest of world champions are unfounded. Praggnanandhaa won events featuring the best players. They should not be judged on the basis on one bad outing in Goa.
It’s a hectic schedule for top chess players. They play all over the world. Time difference, jet lag and preparation everything taken together is a monstrous activity. To be able to handle that and still remain in the top bracket suggests that they belong there. It’s no fluke that they have earned their places in that league. Despite the blues, both are still in the top 10 in the world and to do that at their age is a massive statement of ability.
The World Cup defeats will hurt and naturally so. They were unable to live up to expectations when it came to performing on home turf. It’s true that they failed to deliver in this particular event. It’s also true that they are proven world-beaters. Neither has diverted from the original goal. In Gukesh’s case, he played all the events. For Praggnanandhaa, he has already secured his Candidates berth. The players they lost to are yet to do that.
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