Tense Draws and Strategic Plays: Highlights from FIDE World Cup Round 4

In Round 4 of the FIDE World Cup 2025, Indian GMs Arjun Erigaisi, Karthik Venkataraman, and P Harikrishna secured draws with black pieces, while Praggnanandhaa salvaged a draw against Daniil Dubov despite a critical error. Elsewhere, Levon Aronian and Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara triumphed with strategic play.

In a gripping Round 4 of the FIDE World Cup 2025, Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, Karthik Venkataraman, and P Harikrishna navigated the challenge of playing Black to secure drawn outcomes. Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa narrowly avoided defeat against GM Daniil Dubov after overcoming a critical pawn misstep.

Arjun Erigaisi, playing second-seed, opted for a swift 20-move draw against Hungarian GM Peter Leko. Leko, competing individually after six years, steered clear of risks against a strong rook deployment from Arjun, preferring a draw by repetition strategy. He now faces the task of playing Black, while Erigaisi aims for victory to progress further.

Elsewhere, chess stalwart GM Levon Aronian clinched a win against GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek, aided by strategic white-piece play. GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara outmaneuvered GM Alexey Sarana in an impressive demonstration with black pieces. Despite a tense mistake by Praggnanandhaa, both Dubov and he salvaged a draw after strategic time maneuvers.