FIDE World Cup 2025 R3 TB: Karthik Venkataraman conquers Bogdan-Daniel Deac
The two-time National champion, Karthik Venkataraman eliminated Romania no.1, Bogdan-Daniel Deac in Round 3 Tie-breaks of FIDE World Cup 2025. Karthik was winning the first 15'+10" Rapid tie-break game. However, his opponent somehow managed to escape with a draw. Then Karthik capitalized on his advantage in the second game and went on to win the game and match. He will face Liem Quang Le (VIE) in the fourth round. S L Narayanan and Vidit Gujrathi were eliminated by Yangyi Yu (CHN) and Sam Shankland (USA) respectively. Five Indians are in Round 4 comprising of 32 players. Today is the first of two rest days. Round 4 Game 1 starts tomorrow Tuesday 11th October from 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed
S L Narayanan and Vidit Gujrathi get eliminated, Five Indians in Round 4
Only one Indian player, out of the three, survived the tie-breaks. He is the two-time National champion, GM Karthik Venkataraman. Karthik qualified for the FIDE World Cup on both occassion by winning the National championship. His previous appearance was in 2023 where he got eliminated by Hikaru Nakamura (USA) in Round 2 after a valiant effort. This time, he has advanced to the fourth without having a coach, trainer or a second. You can visit the venue and watch the games live in person. Check the buy tickets link at the end of the article for all details.
Karthik - Deac: 2.5-1.5
GM Karthik Venkataraman (2576) drew the first 15'+10" Rapid game against GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (ROU, 2655). Karthik was winning the rook and minor piece endgame. However, he was unable to make the most out of it and the game eventually ended in a draw.
Karthik won the second 15'+10" game, which featured a nice sequence even though he already had a decisive advantage.
Deac - Karthik, Game 4
The sequence continued 35.Bxc4 Bxf4 36.Bxf7+ Kg7 37.Bxe8 Rxe8 38.Qa7+ Kh6 39.Qd4 Bxc1 40.Rxc1 Qf5 41.Qd2+ Kh7 42.Rg1 Qf3 43.Qd4 Rf8 and it's over. Karthik will face World Blitz 2013 champion, GM Liem Quang Le (VIE) in Round 4.
S L Narayanan - Yangyi: 1.5-2.5
GM S L Narayanan lost the first 15'+10" Rapid tie-break game against GM Yangyi Yu (CHN). The majority of the game was a queen ending. It was an extremely complex one. Narayanan tried to defend valiantly, but his opponent was too strong to budge.
In the second 15'+10" Rapid game, Narayanan, being in a must-win situation, tried to create chances for himself but unfortunately for him, he got none.
Vidit - Shankland: 3.5-2.5
GM Vidit Gujrathi won the first 15'+10" tie-break game against GM Sam Shankland (USA). Then he lost the next game. The first 10'+10" tie-break ended in a draw. Vidit lost the second one and got eliminated. Shankland will face Richard Rapport (HUN) in Round 4.
Replay Vidit - Shankland tie-break games
Artemiev - MVL: 5-6
World Blitz 2021 champion, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) played the second Sudden death of the tournament. He defeated Vladislav Artemiev with the white pieces in a must-win game to advance to the fourth round. He will face the two-time Asian Junior champion, GM Aleksey Grebnev in the next round.
Replay Artemiev - MVL tie-break games
For more photos, please click here.
Round 3 tie-break results
GM Karthik Venkataraman - GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (ROU): 2.5-1.5
GM S L Narayanan - GM Yangyi Yu (CHN): 1.5-2.5
GM Sam Shankland (USA) - GM Vidit Gujrathi: 3.5-2.5
Round 4.1 pairings
GM Peter Leko (HUN) - GM Arjun Erigaisi
GM R Praggnanandhaa - GM Daniil Dubov
GM Pranav Venkatesh - GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB)
GM Nils Grandelius (SWE) - GM Pentala Harikrishna
GM Liem Quang Le (VIE) - GM Karthik Venkataraman
