Panaji, Nov 5 (NationPress) Grandmaster Diptayan Ghosh achieved a remarkable upset with his black pieces, taking down two-time Candidates Tournament champion Ian Nepomniachtchi. Meanwhile, GM P Harikrishna showcased an almost impeccable performance, defeating Arseniy Nesterov and securing a place in the third round of the FIDE World Cup 2025 here on Wednesday.

Also making it to the next round were world champion Gukesh D and the highest-ranked Indian player Arjun Erigaisi. Gukesh, who had a draw in his first game while playing with white pieces, triumphed over the 2024 world junior champion Kazybek Nogerbek from Kazakhstan in 59 moves, advancing to the third round.

Arjun proved to be the only Indian player to secure full points across both games, defeating GM Martin Petrov of Bulgaria in 48 moves with his white pieces, achieving two wins in two matches.

However, the spotlight was undoubtedly on Diptayan, who had drawn the first game of Round 2 against Nepomniachtchi while playing with white pieces. The Indian Grandmaster capitalized on a minor mistake from the Russian in the opening and secured victory in 47 moves.

"Defeating Nepo in a match is a significant achievement. So, this is indeed a notable day for me. It will take a little while to fully appreciate this win," shared Diptayan, who is participating in his inaugural World Cup.

Earlier in the day, 39-year-old Harikrishna made an audacious queen sacrifice as early as the eighth move, capturing Nesterov's knight and bishop to seize control of the match, which he concluded in just 29 moves, becoming the first Indian to reach the third round.

“I devised this strategy nine years ago and was uncertain whether to employ it now, fearing my opponent might be aware of the best counter,” Harikrishna reflected on Tuesday. “I presumed he was familiar with it, but I decided to proceed anyway,” he added.

The FIDE World Cup 2025 is structured as a single-elimination knockout tournament, featuring 206 players from 82 nations competing for the prestigious Viswanathan Anand Cup, named after the iconic Indian chess player.

In Round 2, a total of 17 Indian players participated, with GM Aravindh Chithambaram and GM Karthik Venkataraman engaged in an all-Indian duel.

Other participating Indians, including GMs Raunak Sadhwani, Vidit Gujrathi, R Praggnanandhaa, and Narayanan SL, are heading to tie-break rounds after drawing both their encounters.

World junior champion Pranav V will also face tie-breaks on Thursday after losing the second game to Aryan Tari from Norway, despite winning the initial game with black pieces.