FIDE World Cup 2025: Round 4 Tiebreak Results – All 16 Qualifiers for Round 5 Confirmed

FIDE World Cup 2025 Round 4 Tiebreaks: Praggnanandhaa, Keymer, and Vachier-Lagrave Eliminated as 16 Players Advance to Round 5

November 13, 2025 - Panaji, Goa - Round 4 tiebreaks at the FIDE World Cup 2025 produced major upsets on Thursday, with India's R Praggnanandhaa, Germany's Vincent Keymer, and France's Maxime Vachier-Lagrave all eliminated. Meanwhile, India's Arjun Erigaisi dominated Peter Leko to advance as the highest-rated player remaining in the tournament.

Thirteen matches were decided through rapid and blitz tiebreaks at Resort Rio in Goa, confirming all 16 qualifiers for Round 5, which begins Friday, November 14.

Quick Results - Tiebreaks (November 13):

Advanced to Round of 5:

1. GM Arjun Erigaisi (IND) def. GM Peter Leko (HUN) - 3:1 aggregate
2. GM Pentala Harikrishna (IND) def. GM Nils Grandelius (SWE) - 2.5:1.5 aggregate
3. GM Daniil Dubov (FID) def. GM R Praggnanandhaa (IND) - 2.5:1.5 aggregate
4. GM Sam Shankland (USA) def. GM Richard Rapport (HUN) - 3:1 aggregate
5. GM Andrey Esipenko (FID) def. GM Vincent Keymer (GER) - 4:2 aggregate
6. GM Aleksey Grebnev (FID) def. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) - 2.5:1.5 aggregate
7. GM Sam Sevian (USA) def. GM Lorenzo Lodici (ITA) - 6:5 aggregate
8. GM Wei Yi (CHN) def. GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) - 5:3 aggregate
9. GM Gabriel Sargissian (ARM) def. GM Awonder Liang (USA) - 2.5:1.5 aggregate
10. GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) def. GM V Pranav (IND) - 1.5:0.5 aggregate
11. GM Jose Martinez (MEX) def. GM Alexey Sarana (SRB) - 1.5:0.5 aggregate
12. GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) def. GM Yu Yangyi (CHN) - 2.5:1.5 aggregate
13. GM Frederik Svane (GER) def. GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM) - 2.5:1.5 aggregate
14. games

Eliminated:

1. R Praggnanandhaa (IND)
2. Vincent Keymer (GER)
3. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) - Major upset!
4. Lorenzo Lodici (ITA)
5. Richard Rapport (HUN)

The Biggest Shock: MVL's Stunning Exit

The result that sent shockwaves through the chess world: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, the 2021 World Cup runner-up and perennial Candidates contender, was eliminated by GM Aleksey Grebnev.

MVL came into this World Cup as one of the favorites, having survived an epic Armageddon battle against Vladislav Artemiev in Round 3 where he fought back from the brink twice. But against Grebnev, the magic ran out.

The score: 2.5-1.5 aggregate for Grebnev.

For a player of MVL's caliber - someone who has been knocking on the door of the World Championship for years - this elimination is devastating. The French star now faces an uphill battle to qualify for the Candidates Tournament 2026 through other paths.

Grebnev, meanwhile, becomes one of the surprise packages of the tournament. The lower-rated player showed nerves of steel to take down one of the world's elite, proving once again that in knockout chess, reputation means nothing.

Keymer Crushed: Germany's Hope Eliminated

Vincent Keymer, Germany's brightest chess talent and world #4, suffered a brutal 4-2 aggregate defeat to Andrey Esipenko in what became a one-sided tiebreak demolition.

After two tense classical draws, Keymer - who wore his "lucky ring" throughout the tournament - couldn't find his form in the rapid games. Esipenko, playing with confidence and precision, dominated the tiebreaks to advance decisively.

The 20-year-old German had been one of the pre-tournament favorites for a Candidates spot, but his World Cup journey ends. It's a crushing disappointment for a player who has been touted as the future of European chess.

Esipenko, by contrast, continues his impressive run. After surviving a tough Round 3, the Russian-born player (competing under the FIDE flag) is proving he belongs among the world's elite.

Praggnanandhaa's Heartbreak:

India's #3 seed and one of the brightest young stars in world chess, R Praggnanandhaa, saw his World Cup campaign end in heartbreaking fashion against the tactically brilliant Daniil Dubov.

After holding Dubov to two tense classical draws - no small feat against one of the most creative and dangerous players in chess - Praggnanandhaa entered the rapid tiebreaks with everything to play for.

The first rapid game: A quick 12-move draw with Black. Praggnanandhaa seemed to have momentum.

The second rapid game: Sensing opportunity, the 19-year-old played ambitiously with White, pushing for the win that would send him through to the Round of 5.

But Dubov had other plans.

The former World Rapid Champion unleashed a sharp attacking sequence that showcased exactly why he's one of the most feared tactical players in rapid chess. Within 53 moves, Praggnanandhaa's position collapsed under the pressure of Dubov's relentless assault.

Final score: 2.5-1.5 aggregate. Praggnanandhaa's World Cup journey was over.

For a player who came into the tournament as a genuine Candidates hopeful and had survived close calls in earlier rounds, the elimination stings. In a knockout tournament where every game is sudden death, sometimes brilliance from your opponent is simply unstoppable.

The silver lining? At just 19, Praggnanandhaa has many more World Cups ahead of him. But for 2025, the dream is over.

Arjun Erigaisi: The Tournament's Dominant Force

If there's one player who looks unstoppable right now, it's Arjun Erigaisi.

The world #3 didn't just beat Hungarian legend Peter Leko - he demolished him. Both rapid games went to Arjun in a display of clinical precision that has become his trademark at this World Cup.

Game 1: With the Black pieces, Arjun capitalized on Leko's miscalculated pawn sacrifice. The conversion was surgical - 40 moves, and the Hungarian was done.

Game 2: Under immense pressure in a must-win situation, Leko was forced to take risks. Arjun remained ice-cold, showing the composure of a champion. After 57 moves, the match was sealed.

Final score: 3-1 aggregate.

Speaking after the match, Arjun was characteristically modest: "I am very happy. The tiebreak went well. The classical games were pretty intense... In the tiebreak, I was pretty much in control."

"In control" might be the understatement of the tournament. Arjun has been utterly dominant throughout this World Cup, and he's showing no signs of slowing down.

With Vincent Keymer's elimination, Arjun Erigaisi is now the highest-rated player remaining in the entire tournament at 2773. The world #3 has become the technical favorite to win the World Cup, and based on his dominant performances so far, that status feels entirely justified.

Next Up: The Aronian Showdown

Now comes the real test.

In the Round of 5, Arjun faces GM Levon Aronian - the two-time World Cup champion (2005, 2017) and the only player in history to win this event twice.

The matchup:

1. Aronian: Age 42, veteran wisdom, championship pedigree
2. Arjun: Age 21, in peak form, hungry for glory
3. Aronian: ~2722 rating
4. Both fighting for Candidates qualification

This isn't just a match - it's a generational clash between one of chess's living legends and its newest superpower.

If Arjun wins, he'll be in the quarterfinals with massive momentum toward the Candidates. If Aronian wins, he'll prove that experience and big-match temperament still trump youth and ratings.

The chess world will be watching.

Harikrishna's Steady Hand: The Veteran Delivers

While Arjun grabbed headlines and Praggnanandhaa faced heartbreak, P Harikrishna quietly did what he does best: grinded out a crucial victory.

The 38-year-old Indian veteran defeated Sweden's Nils Grandelius 2.5-1.5 in the tiebreaks after two intense classical draws where he survived difficult positions.

Harikrishna has been one of the quiet success stories of this World Cup. While the spotlight shines on younger stars like Arjun and Praggnanandhaa, the veteran has been methodically advancing, proving that steady professionalism and experience matter just as much as flashy brilliance.

Next opponent: GM Jose Eduardo Martinez of Mexico, who has been the tournament's giant-killer, upsetting higher-rated opponents throughout his run.

The American Success Story: Shankland & Sevian Advance

Two American grandmasters punched their tickets to the Round of 6 with contrasting but equally impressive performances.

Sam Shankland's Statement

GM Sam Shankland crushed former world #8 Richard Rapport with a dominant 3-1 aggregate victory, winning both rapid games in commanding fashion.

Rated 2649 and considered an underdog in many matches, Shankland has consistently exceeded expectations. His demolition of Rapport - a creative genius rated nearly 100 points higher - proves that in knockout chess, momentum and rapid skills can overcome rating gaps.

Shankland, who calls the World Cup his "favorite tournament," compared knockout chess to tennis: "I think a knockout system is the best way to run absolutely any individual sport."

Sam Sevian's Epic Survival

In the day's longest and most dramatic tiebreak, Sam Sevian outlasted Italy's Lorenzo Lodici 6-5 in an aggregate score that went deep into faster time controls.

Lodici, who had been the tournament's Cinderella story after knocking out Hans Niemann, pushed Sevian to the absolute limit. But the American held his nerve in the final games to advance.

Both Americans now carry the Stars and Stripes into the Round of 5, joining a USA contingent that includes Levon Aronian.

Other Notable Results

Wei Yi (CHN) Advances: The Chinese star defeated Iran's Parham Maghsoodloo 5-3 after an intense tiebreak battle. Wei Yi continues his quest for a first Candidates appearance.

Gabriel Sargissian's Upset: The Armenian GM knocked out rising American talent Awonder Liang 2.5-1.5, continuing his solid run through the tournament.

Frederik Svane Continues: The German GM who shocked the chess world by eliminating World Champion Gukesh in Round 3 kept his dream run alive with a 2.5-1.5 win over Shant Sargsyan.

Uzbek Double: Both Nodirbek Yakubboev and Javokhir Sindarov advanced for Uzbekistan, eliminating India's V Pranav and China's Yu Yangyi respectively.

Jose Martinez's Mexican Wave: The giant-killer from Mexico continued his remarkable run, adding Alexey Sarana to his list of victims with a 1.5-0.5 aggregate win from the classical games.

The Round of 5 Bracket: Full Matchups

Here are all 8 matches for the Round of 5 (classical games begin November 14-15):

Match 1: Alexander Donchenko (GER) vs. Liem Le (VIE)

Match 2: Frederik Svane (GER) vs. Javokhir Sindarov (UZB)

Match 3: Pentala Harikrishna (IND) vs. Jose Martinez (MEX)

Match 4: Sam Shankland (USA) vs. Daniil Dubov (FID)

Match 5: Aleksey Grebnev (FID) vs. Andrey Esipenko (FID)

Match 6: Wei Yi (CHN) vs. Sam Sevian (USA)

Match 7: Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) vs. Gabriel Sargissian (ARM)

Match 8: Arjun Erigaisi (IND) vs. Levon Aronian (USA) ⭐ HEADLINE MATCH

What's at Stake: The Candidates Race

Let's not lose sight of why this matters: Three spots in the Candidates Tournament 2026 are up for grabs.

The winner, runner-up, and third-place finisher all qualify to challenge for the World Championship title currently held by Gukesh Dommaraju.

Currently Qualified for Candidates 2026:

1. Anish Giri (Netherlands)
2. Fabiano Caruana (USA) - 2024 FIDE Circuit winner
3. Hikaru Nakamura (USA) - Rating spot
4. Matthias Bluebaum (Germany)

Three World Cup Spots Still Open:

1. 1st place
2. 2nd place
3. 3rd place

With Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Keymer all eliminated, the race is wide open. Dark horses like Donchenko, Martinez, and Grebnev could shock the world. Established stars like Arjun, Aronian, and Wei Yi could cement their status.

Every match from here is a step closer to chess immortality.

India's World Cup Journey: Two Still Standing

India came into this World Cup with unprecedented strength: 24 players in the 206-player field, with the top three seeds all Indian.

The current state:

1. Gukesh (World Champion, #1 seed): Eliminated Round 3 by Frederik Svane
2. Arjun Erigaisi (#2 seed): Round of 5 - looking unstoppable
3. R Praggnanandhaa (#3 seed): Eliminated Round 5 by Daniil Dubov
4. Pentala Harikrishna: Round of 5 - the steady veteran
5. V Pranav: Eliminated Round 5 by Nodirbek Yakubboev
6. Karthik Venkataraman: Eliminated Round 4 by Liem Le

From 24 players to 2. From three top-3 seeds to one. The brutal reality of knockout chess.

But with Arjun in dominant form and Harikrishna showing veteran savvy, India's dream of multiple Candidates spots remains alive.

What We Learned: November 13 Takeaways

1. Ratings mean nothing in tiebreaks

MVL and Keymer both outrated their opponents significantly. Both lost decisively. In rapid and blitz, tactics and nerves matter more than classical strength.

2. Arjun Erigaisi is playing at a different level

With Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Keymer all eliminated, Arjun (2773) is the highest-rated player left in the tournament. The target is on his back now - everyone knows beating him means beating the favorite.

3. Experience counts, but youth is fearless

Harikrishna's veteran grit got him through. But younger players like Esipenko, Grebnev, and Dubov showed that youthful energy and tactical sharpness can overwhelm even the most experienced opponents.

4. The Candidates race is wide open

With major favorites eliminated, players like Donchenko, Martinez, Grebnev, and Svane have legitimate paths to qualifying. The unpredictability is what makes the World Cup special.

5. Knockout chess is unforgiving

One bad game. One tactical miss. One moment of brilliance from your opponent. And your tournament is over. No second chances.

Looking Ahead: The Round of 5

The Round of 5 begins Friday-Saturday, November 14-15 with two classical games per match.

Games to Watch:

1. Arjun vs. Aronian - The generational battle
2. Shankland vs. Dubov - American grit vs. Russian creativity
3. Harikrishna vs. Martinez - Veteran vs. giant-killer
4. Wei Yi vs. Sevian - Chinese star vs. American survivor

Any player who wins their Round of 5 match will be guaranteed at minimum a shot at third place - meaning they're just TWO WINS away from Candidates qualification.

The dream is alive for 16 players. By the end of next week, half will be eliminated.

Stay tuned to ChessTV.com for complete coverage of every match, every upset, and every step toward the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

More to explore:

1. FIDE World Cup 2025 Round 4, Game 2: Donchenko Eliminates Bluebaum, Aronian and Martinez Advance
2. Diptayan Ghosh Eliminates Nepomniachtchi, Leaving No Russians in the Candidates
3. Wesley So Resigns in a Dead Draw: A Shocking Turn in Round 2