GM Arjun Erigaisi’s efforts to break through GM Levon Aronian’s defence did not fructify while GM P Harikrishna played out a quick draw in the opening game of Round 5 at the FIDE World Cup 2025 here on Friday.
Playing white, Arjun could not convert his slight advantage in the double rook end game as the two players split points after 41 moves. Earlier, Harikrishna played a solid game with black to ensure that giant killer GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara had no opportunities to win with white.
A total of 24 Indian players started the competition that saw 206 players from 82 countries vying for the Viswanathan Anand Trophy. After four rounds, only two Indians are still in the fray to win the title and also grab the Candidate spots on offer.
On Friday, Arjun was keen on grabbing the advantage against two-time champion Aronian with white pieces. It looked like the Armenian-born Aronian was in trouble when he took almost 30 minutes to play his 21st move.
To his credit, he found a way to get out of trouble and then played solid chess to ensure that he goes into the second game with a theoretical advantage as he plays white.
There was no such trouble for Harikrishna as he was well prepared for Alcantara’s plan as both the players raced to a rook-pawn endgame quickly and then opted for a draw in 41 moves.
At the time of writing, six of the eight matches had ended in a draw.
India results (Round 5, Game 1):
GM Arjun Erigaisi drew with GM Levon Aronian 0.5:0.5
GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara drew with GM P Harikrishna 0.5:0.5.
FIDE WORLD CORPORATE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS
The second edition of the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship commenced today in Goa, running alongside the FIDE World Cup. The event brings together top international companies whose employees—full-time staff, managers, and board members—are competing for the prestigious World Corporate title.
This year’s finals feature 11 teams, selected from hundreds of global organisations across technology, finance, consulting, engineering, and emerging-market sectors. The championship reinforces how chess is increasingly becoming part of modern workplaces, giving employee teams an opportunity to represent their organisations on a global stage.
At the opening ceremony, FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej welcomed participants and acknowledged the support of the All India Chess Federation, Goa Chess Federation, the Government of Goa, and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hosting this event in Goa, India.
The tournament features a two-day round-robin group stage followed by knockout playoffs on Sunday, played on four boards with a rapid time control of 10 minutes plus a 3-second increment.
For details, visit:
https://www.fide.com/2025-fide-world-corporate-chess-championship-opens-in-goa/
