The Nerve and Drama of Rapid Chess
The Round 1 tiebreaks at the 2025 FIDE World Cup delivered extraordinary drama as players navigated rapid and blitz competition in a pure test of nerves, pattern recognition, and composure under pressure. The afternoon showcased both emerging youth talent and the resilience of seasoned grandmasters, with thrilling matches across multiple time formats.
The round was ceremonially opened by Sanjiv M. Gadkar IAS, Secretary Protocol of the Government of Goa, on Board One. For the all-important second round, Goa’s Chief Minister is expected to make the honorary first move for World Champion Gukesh D.
Elite Indian Performances
Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan’s Clean Victory
Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan (2617), Kerala’s elite grandmaster and currently ranked India’s number seventeen, delivered a commanding 2-0 performance to advance confidently to Round 2. Narayanan’s strategic preparation was evident in his opening warm-up routine.
According to Lichess Operations Director Theophilus Wait present in Goa, Narayanan warmed up with over fifty bullet games online: “I play a lot of bullet — that’s one of my ways to get in shape. I play fast and check a bunch of lines with the computer later.” The methodical approach clearly paid dividends, as Narayanan demonstrated precision execution in both games, finishing with a brilliant 22-move miniature in the second encounter.
Aronyak Ghosh’s Determined Advancement
IM Aronyak Ghosh (2520), India’s emerging talent, delivered an impressive performance by managing to win both games in the tightly contested 10+10 rapid segment. After drawing both classical games, Ghosh advanced with commanding authority through the rapid portion, demonstrating the technical excellence and composure required at elite levels.
Kavin Mohan’s Outstanding Youth Performance
FM Kavin Mohan (Malaysia, born 2011), the 14-year-old rising star, delivered a superb showing against elite opposition. Demonstrating maturity well beyond his years, Mohan drew both classical games against GM Robert Hovhannisyan (2629) before narrowly losing in the rapid portion—an exceptional performance that highlighted emerging talent’s ability to compete at world-class levels.
Tournament-Wide Excellence
Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan’s Dominant Display
Narayanan produced a grinding 52-move strategic victory with Black in the first game, overwhelming his opponent before delivering a devastating miniature in the second contest. His methodical approach and technical mastery secured clear advancement to Round 2.
Strong Early Qualifiers
GMs Jorge Cori (Peru), Temur Kuybokarov (Australia), Tin Jingyao (Singapore), and Ghosh Diptayan all secured 2-0 victories through commanding performances. IM Bojan Maksimovic (Bosnia) similarly advanced with a clean sweep, highlighting the diverse international talent competing at elite levels.
Temur Kuybokarov delivered particular brilliance with a checkmating sequence: 49…Nh3+ 50.Kh2 Nf2+ 51.Kg1 Rh1+! 52.Kxf2 Qxe3# 0-1—a sparkling tactical finish that exemplified elite-level precision.
Close Competitions and Determined Play
GMs Alisher Suleymenov and Denis Makhnev secured narrow 1.5-0.5 victories, advancing through tightly contested matches that highlighted the competitive depth at the World Cup level. Arturs Neiksans, after his elimination, gracefully congratulated his opponent and humorously announced his return to the commentary desk—exemplifying the collegial spirit among elite competitors.
Youth and Excellence Converge
Faustino Oro’s Exceptional Blitz Performance
12-year-old IM Faustino Oro from Argentina delivered one of the tournament’s standout performances, winning both blitz games to qualify for Round 2. The prodigious talent, already known for online victories against Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, demonstrated maturity far beyond his years in high-pressure competition.
After his qualification, the delighted young prodigy reflected: “I’m so happy to have qualified. It’s been a very tough match. I missed a key tactic in the final game, but luckily for me the position was still tricky.” Oro’s composed perspective on his performance and resilience under extreme pressure showcased the psychological fortitude developing in the next generation of elite chess.
Other Blitz Deciders
GM Daniil Yuffa (Spain, 2618) survived a marathon match, clinching both blitz games while acknowledging his opponent’s exceptional resilience. GM Max Warmerdam (Netherlands, 2577) similarly demonstrated the composure required in rapid transitions, overcoming determined opposition in tightly contested play.
GMs Kazybek Nogerbek (Kazakhstan) and Ahmed Adly (Egypt, 2589) each secured advancement through precise blitz execution, with Adly edging past a formidable former 2650-rated competitor.
Tournament Format and Openings
The tiebreak rounds showcased a notable shift in opening strategies compared to the classical portion. Many players adopted flexible “systems” such as the Colle, London, and Anti-Sicilian setups—approaches less dependent on deep theoretical knowledge but highly effective in rapid formats where defensive resources are limited.
Out of twenty matches, fourteen were decided within the first two rapid games, though not without drama. Most rating favorites advanced, with six matches concluding 2-0 and eight 1.5-0.5, demonstrating that elite-level chess at accelerated time controls remains highly competitive across the field.
Looking Ahead to Round 2
With all 50 seeds now prepared to enter Round 2, the tournament promises high-voltage encounters as established stars meet fearless challengers. The World Cup in Goa continues to showcase the extraordinary depth of elite chess talent, with young prodigies like Faustino Oro demonstrating that the future of competitive chess remains vibrant and exciting.
The first day of tiebreaks delivered everything—drama, brilliant tactics, resilience, and youthful audacity. With the top-seeded players now entering the competition, Round 2 promises world-class chess at its finest.
