FIDE Grand Swiss 2025: Praggnanandhaa shocked by Bluebaum; Gukesh humbled by Abhimanyu

Top seed Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa suffered a shock defeat against Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum, while World Champion D. Gukesh went down to the world’s youngest ever Grandmaster Abhimanyu Mishra of the USA in the fifth round of the FIDE Grand Swiss here on Monday.

On a day when Arjun Erigaisi scored a prolific victory over Russian-turned-Swiss Nikita Vituigov, Parham Maghsoodloo continued with his great form to outwit Richard Rapport of Hungary.

The victory with the black pieces kept Maghsoodloo in the sole lead on 4.5 points out of a possible five, signalling a strong return to form after previously scaling a peak rating of 2740.

Maghsoodloo is now followed by Arjun, Bluebaum and Abhimanyu on four points each, with the possibility of Nodirbek Abdusattorov joining them.

The event carries $625,000 in the open and $230,000 in the women’s section, apart from two top finishers in both sections assured of a berth in the next Candidates tournament — one that will decide the finalists for the World championship.

In the women’s section, India’s R. Vaishali held on to her joint lead after signing a peace with Russia’s Lateryna Lagno, who is playing under the FIDE flag here.

The two overnight leaders were joined by Dinara Wagner of Germany and Ulviyya Fataliyeva of Azerbaijan at the top of the tables on four points from five games.

Matthias Bluebaum is enjoying the tournament of his career, causing the biggest upset so far with a third successive victory after two opening draws.

Praggnanandhaa tried an unconventional opening with black pieces against the Queen pawn, and the position was level for a long time.

However, an oversight in the ensuing minor piece endgame cost the Indian dearly as he lost a pawn, and Bluebaum did not give a second chance in the game that lasted 55 moves.

Gukesh made a mistake as early as the 12th move. It was an Italian opening wherein Mishra caught his illustrious opponent off-guard, and a piece sacrifice by the American of Indian origin had Gukesh in deep trouble in the early middle game.

With resourceful play, Gukesh walked out of the attack nearly unscathed, but the position demanded very precise play even in the endgame. Abhimanyu scored his biggest victory in 61 moves.

Arjun, however, displayed deep and clean preparation as he accounted for Vituigov, who holds the reputation of a theoretician of the highest degree.

The Indian came up with a precise plan out of a known Catalan opening, won the black queen for two pieces and then killed all possible counterplay with his immaculate technique.

Published on Sep 08, 2025