Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi continued his strong performance at the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in Panjim, Goa, on Friday. He defeated Uzbekistan’s Shamsiddin Vokhidov in a dominant attacking game during the first match of the third round.

This victory marked Erigaisi’s third consecutive win in the knockout tournament. Playing with white pieces, he opened with a Queen-pawn strategy and displayed precise control throughout. His creative moves in the opening phase allowed him to overpower Vokhidov in a one-sided encounter.

Harikrishna Joins the Lead

Grandmaster P Harikrishna also produced a fine victory, beating young Belgian GM Daniel Dardha in a well-calculated and composed game. The seasoned player, known for his tactical sharpness, took advantage of the white pieces to secure the lead.

Harikrishna, who recently assisted world champion D Gukesh during the title match, once again proved his attacking skills and deep preparation.

With both Erigaisi and Harikrishna winning their opening games, they now need only a draw in the second leg to advance to the fourth round.

Mixed Results for Other Indian Players

In other matches, R Praggnanandhaa began his round of 64 campaign with a steady draw against Robert Hovhannisyan of Armenia while playing with black pieces.

Similarly, Vidit Gujrathi held American GM Sam Shankland to a draw, keeping his hopes alive for a fourth-round spot.

Meanwhile, world champion D Gukesh played out a balanced draw with Germany’s Frederik Svane, ensuring a solid start to his third-round clash.