GM Karthik Venkataraman continued his impressive run in the FIDE World Cup 2025 by defeating GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac of Romania in the second rapid game of the tiebreaker to advance to the fourth round on Sunday.
Karthik had drawn the first rapid game with the white pieces. In the second game with black, he pinned Deac’s king in one corner and capitalised on the extra bishop to secure victory in 43 moves.
“Classical game against Deac was not too good, but I somehow managed to defend. In both rapid games, I played well. I’m not sure if I was objectively winning in the first game, but I was clearly better. The second game was smooth,” Karthik said. He will next face GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam.
Reflecting on the pressures of the World Cup, the two-time national champion, who had defeated compatriot Aravindh Chithambaram in the second round, said, “Chess players are not used to this format. Normally it is Swiss or round-robin and one can relax a bit. Here, you are always under pressure, and that pressure is a lot to handle.”
Also read: Erigaisi, Harikrishna enter Round 4 at FIDE World Cup
With Karthik’s win, five Indian players remain in action in the fourth round of the Viswanathan Anand Cup and three Candidate Sports events, following a rest day on Monday.
However, there was heartbreak for GM Vidit Gujrathi and GM Narayanan SL. Vidit won the first rapid tiebreak against Sam Shankland (USA) but lost the second game under time pressure, and subsequently lost the sixth game, resulting in elimination. Narayanan SL drew his second game against GM Yu Yangyi (CHN) after a 125-move marathon but was knocked out.
Indian Results (Round 3, Tiebreakers):
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GM Karthik Venkataraman bt GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (ROU) 2.5–1.5
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GM Narayanan SL lost to GM Yu Yangyi (CHN) 1.5–2.5
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GM Vidit Gujrathi lost to GM Sam Shankland (USA) 2.5–3.5
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