Top Players, Including Gukesh D., Eliminated from the FIDE World Cup 2025

Round 3 of the FIDE World Cup 2025 brought a wave of surprises and upsets that no one saw coming. Several top players, including World Champion contenders, were eliminated — Anish Giri, Gukesh Dommaraju, Shahriyar Mamedyarov, and Nodirbek Abdusattarov all said goodbye to the tournament in shocking fashion.

The World Cup is known for its drama and unpredictability, but this round really took it to another level. Let’s take a closer look at what happened.

Gukesh vs. Svane Frederik

Gukesh faced Germany’s Svane Frederik in Round 3. Their first game ended in a draw, with both sides battling it out in a tense rook-and-three-pawn endgame. But in the second game, Gukesh — playing with the white pieces — made a few inaccuracies that turned the balance in Svane’s favor. Svane took his chance, converting the game confidently and sending one of India’s biggest hopes home earlier than expected.

Mamedyarov vs. Grandelius Nils

Shahriyar Mamedyarov, one of the most dynamic and creative players in modern chess, was eliminated by Sweden’s own Grandelius Nils. It was a big win for the Swedish player, who managed to hold firm against Mamedyarov’s aggressive style. This result also meant that Mamedyarov — the last Azerbaijani player left in the World Cup — was out of the event, following the earlier exits of Rauf Mammadov and others.

Abdusattarov vs. Martinez Alcantara

Another major upset came when Nodirbek Abdusattarov was knocked out by José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara from Peru. Abdusattarov played the second game with the black pieces and was unable to find winning chances in a tough position. The Peruvian grandmaster held his nerves and capitalized on small mistakes, completing one of the biggest surprises of the round.

Anish Giri vs. Donchenko Alexander

Anish Giri also faced an unexpected exit, losing to Germany’s Donchenko Alexander. Giri, known for his solid and precise play, just couldn’t find his rhythm in this match. Interestingly, like in several other matches this round, the player with the white pieces ended up losing — a rare pattern at this level of competition.

Round 3 of the FIDE World Cup 2025 will definitely be remembered for its unpredictability. Big names fell, new stars rose, and fans were reminded once again why knockout tournaments are so exciting — anything can happen, no matter how strong the favorites are.

The road to the Candidates Tournament just got a lot more open, and after this round, it’s clear that no one is safe in this year’s World Cup.

More to explore:

1. FIDE World Cup 2025 - Round 1 Tiebreak Drama
2. World Cup 2025 Delivers Wild Round 2
3. Indian Dominance in Round 3