GM Pentala Harikrishna (India, Elo 2697) during his Round 4 tiebreak game against GM Nils Grandelius (Sweden,Elo 2645) at the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Arpora on Thursday. The Indian GM advanced to Round 5 with an aggregate win 2.5:1.5.
PANAJI
Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna (Elo 2697) advanced to the Round of 16 after bettering Swedish GM Nils Grandelius (Elo 2645) in the Round 4 tiebreaks with an aggregate 2.5:1.5 at the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Arpora on Thursday.
Speaking to the media after advancing to Round 5, Pentala Harikrishna expressed satisfaction with his overall performance at the ongoing chess tournament. On his performance in the Round 4 tiebreaks, the seasoned Indian grandmaster stated, “Tiebreaks are always stressful as you can imagine in previous rounds. It was my first tiebreak however, while my opponent already played tiebreaks in Round 2. In the first (tiebreak) game he (Grandelius) had some chances. I don’t know how much better, but he was in the driving seat. He spent a lot of time for a couple of moves and the position got liquidated in the rook end game. The second (tiebreak) game I played quite well. I chose the Italian Opening. In the second classical game, in fact I played the same opening. He deviated with his lines as obviously; he expected me to be prepared as we had played the opening in the previous classical game. I played something which I felt natural and then I got a slightly pleasant position. At the same time, the moves were easier for me than him and I guess that helps in rapid chess. He then started spending time and the c6 weakness became tough for him to solve.”
The 39-year-old Indian GM who held Grandelius in the first tiebreak with black, outsmarted his Swedish opponent in 34 moves with white in the all-important second 15+10 time control in the first stage of rapid tiebreaks. Incidentally, The Swedish GM and P Harikrishna are good friends and teammates in three different leagues overseas.
Responding to another question, the veteran Indian GM opined that the single-elimination chess World Cup has been great so far. “For sure, this is my best World Cup I can say. In the sense, not just the rounds, but play-wise too. In general, the game quality has been so far good. I hope to keep it that way. In a knockout event, I take it one match at a time.”
On his preparations for the high-profile tournament, the experienced Indian GM admitted that there was not much time to prepare. “I got the invitation or contract mid of September. I played the Grand Swiss and also the European Club Cup. It is very tricky to prepare for a World Cup generally or according to your opponent. I revised some of my old preparation and taking it match after match. There is no special preparation. Of course, GM Srinath Narayanan (Indian Team coach) is helping me with the preparations as well,” P Harikrishna candidly stated.
With a peak Elo rating of 2770 close to nine years ago, has he rediscovered his mojo as an elite chess player, who can rival a Super GM with results more often than not? P Harikrishna replied, “It is hard to compare this way because each phase is different. Chess has evolved so much in the past couple of years. I can say I am playing good chess here and that is enough for me.”
As with many chess players accompanied by family at the World Cup, did the presence of his family at the high-stakes event play a role in his success? “If I am playing well, it is always a team effort. My family, my coach and last, but not the least, my fans here. For me I would say it is good to see the interest and the cheering of the fans and all the chess lovers coming here (in Goa) and watching means a lot,” P Harikrishna opined. Incidentally, the seasoned Indian grandmaster last played an individual classical event in India way back in time, and felt great to play again.
Pentala Harikrishna will now face the high-flying GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara (Mexico) in the Round of 16 on Friday.
