World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju Exits Early From World Cup

Goa, India, November 9, 2025 In a surprising turn of events at the ongoing World Cup in Goa, world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju suffered an early exit, bowing out in the third round of the tournament on Saturday. The loss highlighted the unpredictable nature of this year’s competition, which has seen many top-seeded players falter unexpectedly. The World Cup, which runs until November 27, serves as a qualifying event for the Candidates tournament. The top three finishers will secure spots in the Candidates, which determines who will challenge Gukesh for the world title in 2026. With Gukesh already eliminated, the race for the Candidates has become even more open and competitive. Gukesh, who was the top seed, faced German Grandmaster Frederik Svane, ranked 85th in the world. A draw with the white pieces would have forced a tiebreak, giving Gukesh a chance to stay in the tournament. However, the Indian champion struggled in the middlegame and ultimately lost the match, ending his World Cup run earlier than expected. The third round also saw other high-profile exits. Grand Swiss champion Anish Giri of the Netherlands, the fourth seed, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, ranked 12th in the world, were knocked out alongside Gukesh. Earlier rounds had already claimed the eliminations of notable players, including American Hans Niemann, two-time world championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, and world number eight Wesley So. Overall, six of the top ten seeds have been eliminated, signaling the highly volatile nature of the tournament. Despite the setbacks for some of India’s top players, the country still has strong representation in the competition. Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa both advanced to the fourth round, keeping hopes alive for an Indian contender to make a deep run in the World Cup. Their performances have been closely watched by fans, who hope to see India secure spots in the 2026 Candidates tournament. Chess enthusiasts have noted that this year’s World Cup has been particularly unpredictable, with unexpected upsets demonstrating the depth of talent in the field. Analysts say that the volatility of results emphasizes the pressure and intensity of knockout-style tournaments, where even top-ranked players can be vulnerable. With the tournament continuing through the month, attention will now shift to the remaining rounds as players vie for the coveted top-three positions. The early exit of the reigning world champion has added drama and uncertainty, making the World Cup a must-watch event for chess fans worldwide. World Chess Champion Gukesh Exits Early From World Cup World chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju faced a surprising early exit from the World Cup in Goa on Saturday. The top-seeded player lost in the third round to German Grandmaster Frederik Svane, ending his hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Candidates tournament through this event. Gukesh needed only a draw to force a tiebreak, but he struggled in the middlegame and ultimately fell short. The tournament has been highly unpredictable, with several top players eliminated early. Grand Swiss champion Anish Giri of the Netherlands and world number 12 Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan also exited in the third round. Earlier, notable players like Hans Niemann, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Wesley So were knocked out. Overall, six of the top ten seeds have already been eliminated, making this year’s World Cup one of the most volatile in recent memory. Despite Gukesh’s exit, India still has strong contenders in the tournament. Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa both advanced to the fourth round, keeping Indian hopes alive. Fans are eagerly following their progress as they aim to secure spots in the Candidates tournament and potentially challenge for the world title in 2026.