Panaji (Goa): Grandmaster (GM) Arjun Erigaisi and GM Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa played out solid draws while Pentala Harikrishna saved the day after finding himself in a difficult position to head into a tiebreak in the fourth round of the FIDE World Cup 2025 here.
Erigaisi accepted a draw after 36 moves against the experienced GM Peter Leko of Hungary with white pieces, Praggnanandhaa split the point after 30 moves against GM Daniil Dubov, while Harikrishna also drew after 38 moves with GM Nils Grandelius of Sweden.
GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara, who won with black pieces on Tuesday, became the first player to advance to the Round of 16 after he went for a threefold repetition and took a draw against GM Alexey Sarana in 20 moves. He will now face the winner of the match between Harikrishna and Grandelius.
Also advancing to the next round was two-time champion GM Levon Aronian after he drew the second game in 35 moves with black against GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek.
Among the five Indians in fray in the fourth round, all eyes were on Arjun and Praggnanandhaa on the top boards.
Praggnanandhaa was also satisfied with a draw in 30 moves with black against GM Daniil Dubov. The Indian will now start with black pieces against the former World Rapid Champion in the first game.
