Hold onto your seats, chess fans, because the 2025 FIDE World Cup just kicked off with a bang! Out of 78 matches in the first round, a staggering 20 are headed to tiebreaks, proving that even the most predictable games can take an unexpected turn. But here's where it gets really exciting: International Master Shixu Wang (2402) pulled off the upset of the day, defeating Grandmaster Leon Mendonca (2620) in a stunning display of strategic brilliance. This wasn't an isolated incident—two other lower-rated players also emerged victorious, with GM Felix Blohberger (2513) taking down GM Constantin Lupulescu (2577) and GM Martin Petrov (2540) besting GM Krikor Mekhitarian (2545). These results remind us that in chess, ratings don't always tell the full story. And this is the part most people miss: tiebreaks aren't just about speed; they're about nerves, adaptability, and the ability to think on your feet under pressure.
This is just a sneak peek—the full analysis, interviews, and behind-the-scenes photos are coming soon. Mark your calendars: round one tiebreaks begin Monday, November 3, at 4:30 a.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. CET / 3:00 p.m. IST. For those keeping track, the top 50 seeds get a bye and will join the fray in round two on Tuesday. Interestingly, GM Gukesh Dommaraju, ranked ninth in the world, will be seeded first as the reigning world champion—a decision that’s sure to spark debate among fans. Is seeding by title fair when ratings tell a different story? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Here’s a quick look at the tiebreak matches—some of these pairings are bound to shake things up:
| Board | Player 1 | Player 2 | Winner Will Face |
|----------|------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------|
| 1 | Robert Hovhannisyan | Kavin Mohan | Raunak Sadhwani |
| 2 | Daniil Yuffa | Shiyam Thavandiran | Jeffery Xiong |
| 3 | S L Narayanan | Steven Rojas | Nikita Vitugov |
| 4 | Cristobal Henriquez | Uurtsaikh Agibileg | Alexey Sarana |
| 5 | Aldiyar Ansat | Jorge Cori | Shant Sargsyan |
| 6 | Karen Grigoryan | Ahmed Adly | Matthias Bluebaum |
| 7 | Alisher Suleymenov | Arturs Neiksans | Jorden Van Foreest |
| 8 | Jegor Lashkin | Tin Jingyao | Sam Sevian |
| 9 | R Babu Lalith | Max Warmerdam | Awonder Liang |
| 10 | Faustino Oro | Ante Brkic | Vidit Gujrathi |
| 11 | Aronyak Ghosh | Mateusz Bartel | Levon Aronian |
| 12 | Luis Paulo Supi | Sion Galaviz | Richard Raport |
| 13 | Jose Cardoso | Baadur Jobava | Liem Le |
| 14 | Diptayan Ghosh | Xiongjian Peng | Ian Nepomniachtchi |
| 15 | Diego Flores | Denis Makhnyov | Nodirbek Abdusattorov |
| 16 | Sergei Lobanov | Kacper Piorun | Wei Yi |
| 17 | Titas Stremavicius | Sebastian Bogner | Wesley So |
| 18 | Emre Can | Bojan Maksimovic | Anish Giri |
| 19 | Temur Kuybokarov | Jan Subelj | Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu |
| 20 | Raja Rithvik | Kazybek Nogerbek | Gukesh Dommaraju |
Wondering how to catch all the action? Tune in on Chess.com/TV, Chess24, Twitch, or YouTube. For a deeper dive, check out our events page for game replays and results. Special shoutout to IMs Jovanka Houska and Anna Rudolf for their lively and insightful commentary during the live broadcast.
Taking place from November 1 to 26 in Goa, India, the 2025 FIDE World Cup is more than just a tournament—it’s a battle for three spots in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. With 206 players, eight rounds, and a $2 million prize fund, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Each match consists of two classical games, followed by rapid and blitz tiebreaks if needed. It’s a test of endurance, strategy, and mental fortitude.
Controversial question: Do tiebreaks favor younger players with sharper tactical skills, or do they give experienced players an edge in handling pressure? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear your take! For more insights, don’t miss GM Rafael Leitao’s analysis of the Game of the Day, coming soon. Stay tuned, as this tournament is just getting started!
