FIDE World Cup 2025 - Round 1 Tiebreak Drama

The third day of the FIDE World Cup 2025 delivered everything fans could hope for: a 12-year-old prodigy advancing, giant-killings, and marathon matches stretching through multiple rapid and blitz formats.

STAR OF THE DAY - 12-Year-Old Oro: Faustino Oro, the youngest participant in World Cup history, defeated GM Ante Brkic 5-3 in one of the longest matches of the day. Oro said he gained confidence as the match progressed: "I was confident when I got to the 5+3 portion" . His reward? A Round 2 match against top Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi.

GIANT-KILLING IN ROUND 1: M Shixu Wang (2402) pulled off a massive underdog victory against GM Leon Mendonca (2620), eliminating the Indian Grandmaster despite a 218-point rating disadvantage.

TIEBREAK BREAKDOWN: 14 players advanced in the first rapid phase (15+10), while six matches progressed to later stages. No matches reached the fastest 3+2 time control.

Notable Indian Success: IM Aronyak Ghosh (rated 2520 classical) became the second IM to reach Round 2 after defeating GM Mateusz Bartel, and will face GM Levon Aronian next.

Other Advancers Include: GMs Robert Hovhannisyan, Diptayan Ghosh, Titas Stremavicius, Temur Kuybokarov, Jorge Cori, Max Warmerdam, and Kazybek Nogerbek.

Once again, Round 1 proved that in knockout chess, ratings and reputations mean nothing once the clock starts ticking. The real drama was only just beginning.

More to explore:

1. Why the World Cup Feels Like the Most Democratic Event in Chess
2. Hans Niemann Eliminated in Round 2 of the FIDE World Cup 2025
3. Diptayan Ghosh Eliminates Nepomniachtchi, Leaving No Russians in the Candidates