Atreyo Mukhopadhyay in Goa
There was more bad news than good for Indians in the Round 3 tie-breakers of the FIDE World Cup on Sunday. Of the three in fray, Vidit Gujrathi and SL Narayanan crashed out. Karthik Venkataraman was the lone one to progress, making it five from the country in the last 32 of the most prestigious knockout chess tournament.
Vidit’s ouster was unexpected and heartbreaking for his family members waiting anxiously outside the playing hall. Quarterfinalist in the last two editions in 2021 and 2023, he won the first tie-break game against Sam Shankland of the USA. He needed a draw with white in the next game to advance. He lost from a seemingly equal position and suffered another defeat afterwards to be eliminated.
Not just the player’s near ones, there was a sizeable media contingent as well waiting for Vidit to walk out triumphant after the second rapid game. However, there was a grim and stern look on his face when he stepped out. It was immediately known that he failed to capitalise on his advantage. Vidit had a brief chat with Indian men’s team coach Srinath Narayanan before heading back into the hall. The next time he came out, there was a pall of gloom everywhere. Shankland, 2654, is rated below Vidit, who has a rating of 2716.
Karthik didn’t leave things that late. He drew against Deac Bogdan-Daniel of Romania in the first rapid game and won the second with black to join R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, P Harikrishna and V Pranav in the fourth round. It was a creditable show by the two-time national champion. He had a rating of 2579 against his opponent’s 2655.
Dope test after the test on the board
It took a long time for the player from Tirupati to come out. He disclosed that it was because of the random dope test. “There were three more along with me and the process took time. They needed 140 ml (of urine). I had never appeared in a dope test before this and it was a different experience,” he said on a lighter note.
About his experience in the competition, the 26-year-old said that he approached it with a sense of fear. “It’s a tricky format,” said Karthik. “Normally, we play in the Swiss League or round-robin formats. The knockout system makes players apprehensive because one mistake could mean there is no chance to come back. Perhaps that’s why we see so many upsets in the World Cup.”
World champion D Gukesh, world No. 5 Anish Giri of the Netherlands and two-time Candidates champion Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia are among the prominent ones who have already bowed out of the event well before expected.
“Every day, there is fear because you don’t know what you will encounter,” said Karthik. “In other competitions, you are more relaxed. That’s why many top players are not at their best. Even for Magnus Carlsen (world No. 1), it took a long time to win the World Cup (in 2023). If a player like him lost in the second or third round, you can imagine how it is. In games like tennis for example, it’s different because they are used to the knockout system. However, having come this far, my goal is to qualify for the Candidates.”
The top three from this event will make it to the eight-player Candidates Championship, the winner of which will earn the right to challenge Gukesh in the World Championship duel. So far, Praggnanandhaa is the only Indian who looks set to have qualified for the Candidates from another channel. With five in the last 32, including Praggnanandhaa, Indians are in with a chance to secure more berths.
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