FIDE World Cup 30 October - 27 November 2025

[Graham Borrowdale]

Sargissian-Liang quick draw today after their very long game yesterday, so they're the first through to the tiebreaks

It certainly feels as if the main objective is to reach the tie breaks, rather than to win in the classical phase. I have said it before, but I don’t think rapidplay or blitz should be determining world championship candidates.

[Ian Thompson]

It certainly feels as if the main objective is to reach the tie breaks, rather than to win in the classical phase.

More likely, the main objective is to avoid losing any games which makes draws quite likely when both players take that approach.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Indeed, to state the obvious just two "classical" games means there is limited margin for error.

[LawrenceCooper]

Liem Le the fifth and probably final qualifier from today.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

11 tiebreaks it is then. And Le and Donchenko have more preparation time.

[Mick Norris]

Yakubboev the first player to win today, quickly followed by Donchenko. They both qualify for the last 16.

Yakubboev looks impressive and may stand a decent chance of qualifying

Bluebaum being knocked out by Donchenko at least simplifies the tournament, and makes the 3rd place playoff crucial

I thought Wei Yi was winning when I had to stop watching at lunchtime

[Paul Cooksey]

Pranav and Karthik amongst those eliminated today.

I thought the Indian players might overperform with home advantage. But not a great event for them so far.

[NickFaulks]

I don’t think rapidplay or blitz should be determining world championship candidates.

Nor do I, but I don't think they should be determining world championship matches either. We now have World Rapid and World Blitz championships, but no World Standard. Why don't the rapids have a blitz playoff?

There is a case for saying that the format for qualifying for a WC match should mirror that of the match itself.

[Nick Burrows]

Why don't the rapids have a blitz playoff?

Or the blitz have a classical playoff would be novel.

[NickFaulks]

I thought Wei Yi was winning when I had to stop watching at lunchtime

Playing through that ending now, I still don't understand how he didn't win.

[Mick Norris]

Tiebreaks underway; Dubov - Pragg drawn in 12 moves

[LawrenceCooper]

Tiebreaks underway; Dubov - Pragg drawn in 12 moves

Game 3 wins for Erigaisi & Shankland with black and Grebnev, Sargissian & Svane with white.

[LawrenceCooper]

Dubov, Erigaisi, Grebnev, Harikrishna, Shankland, Svane all through.

[NickFaulks]

Another one bites the dust. Dubov plays an immaculate game to put out Pragg.

On his day, Dubov is capable of producing chess to equal anyone in the world, particularly at faster time controls. I do fear he would be a bit lightweight for the Candidates.

[LawrenceCooper]

Dubov, Erigaisi, Grebnev, Harikrishna, Shankland, Svane all through.

Sargissian also through.