The FIDE World Cup Chess tournament in Baku delivered a roller-coaster of emotions for Indian chess fans. While earlier defeats cast a shadow, a dramatic series of tiebreaks saw five out of eight Indian Grandmasters advance. The biggest headline, however, belonged to India’s No. 2, R Praggnanandhaa, who survived by the skin of his teeth.
A below-par performance against Australia’s Temur Kuybokarov brought Pragg to the brink of elimination. Yet, luck, and perhaps Kuybokarov’s own nerves, played a crucial role in his improbable escape.
Praggnanandhaa’s Nail-Biting Escape at FIDE World Cup
The tension was palpable as Praggnanandhaa entered the tiebreak rounds. His match against Temur Kuybokarov was anything but straightforward, keeping supporters on the edge of their seats throughout.
A Second Game Scare
Pragg barely made it through the second game of the first set of two-game tiebreaks, each lasting 15 minutes. He was on the verge of being knocked out, a scenario that would have sent shockwaves through the tournament.
The Amateur Blunder that Almost Cost Him
The drama continued into the third game of the tiebreak, played with 10 minutes for each player. Here, the 20-year-old Indian GM made what was described as an “amateur-level mistake.”
He mistakenly grabbed a seventh-rank pawn with his bishop, completely overlooking a knight fork. This blunder would have cost him a rook, likely sealing his fate. Fortunately for Pragg, Kuybokarov failed to capitalize on this golden opportunity, granting India’s young star a massive sigh of relief.
The 5-3 scoreline in no way reflects the sheer intensity and narrow margin of Pragg’s survival. Lady luck undeniably smiled upon him during these critical moments in the World Cup chess.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Indian Chess Players
While Pragg’s survival dominated discussions, other Indian players were also navigating their own challenging paths through the FIDE World Cup tiebreaks.
Advancing to Round Three
Despite early setbacks for some, a significant number of Indian GMs successfully punched above their weight, securing their spots in the third round. This offered a much-needed morale boost for the nation’s contingent.
The Indian players who successfully advanced included:
- M Pranesh
- SL Narayanan
- V Pranav
- Vidit Gujrathi (who impressively stopped 12-year-old Faustino Oro of Argentina)
- R Praggnanandhaa (after his dramatic escape)
Notable Exits
Not all Indian hopes could be realized on this tense day. The earlier defeats of higher-seeded players had already painted a gloomy picture.
Unfortunately, these talented players could not secure their passage to the next stage of the FIDE World Cup:
- No. 22 seed Nihal Sarin
- Raunak Sadhwani
- Murali Karthikeyan
Conclusion: A Day of High Drama and Resilient Performances
The FIDE World Cup Chess continued its tradition of delivering high drama and unexpected twists. For Indian chess, it was a day of mixed emotions, but ultimately one of resilience.
The incredible comeback of R Praggnanandhaa, combined with solid performances from other Grandmasters, ensured a strong Indian presence in the third round. As the dust settles on these intense tiebreak games, the focus now shifts to the next stage, promising more thrilling chess action.