The final eight are set. After a blistering day of rapid-and-blitz tiebreaks in Goa, the FIDE World Cup has officially locked in its quarterfinal lineup. Four tense Round 5 matches—each with everything on the line—delivered momentum-shifting comebacks, opening novelties, wild endgames, and the kind of pressure-packed finishes that define knockout chess.
With all classical games drawn the previous day, Sunday became a pure test of nerves. And when the dust settled, Arjun Erigaisi, Wei Yi, Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Yakubboev, Sam Shankland, Andrey Esipenko, José Martínez, and Alexander Donchenko stood as the last eight players still in the hunt for the big title.
Below is how today’s battles unfolded, and how the final eight punched their tickets to the quarterfinals.
Dubov vs. Shankland: Plan Backfires
Daniil Dubov had openly stated that he wanted tiebreaks, believing his rapid instincts and tactical creativity would shine. But Sam Shankland tore that script apart from the very first game.
Unleashing a sharp novelty with White, Shankland seized early initiative and left Dubov scrambling for counterplay. Under pressure and low on time, Dubov faltered, dropping the first rapid game. In game two, he pushed too hard in a level endgame and collapsed again—giving Shankland a clean 2–0 sweep and a confident return to the World Cup quarterfinals.
Esipenko vs. Grebnev: A Marathon and a Milestone
Andrey Esipenko’s quiet draws in classical raised eyebrows, but his rapid play showed the true intention. In their first tiebreak game, he outplayed Grebnev in a sharp opposite-side-castling battle and never looked back.
The second game became a marathon—145 moves—filled with tension, blunders, and missed chances on both sides. Grebnev even reached a technically winning position, but Esipenko defended resourcefully and guided the game into a drawn rook endgame, sealing the match victory.
This run marks Esipenko’s deepest World Cup performance to date.
Harikrishna vs. Martínez: The Blitz Specialist Delivers
Many expected this match to go the full distance, and they were right. After two quiet draws in rapid, José Martínez struck first in the 10+10 segment, converting superior piece activity into a smooth win.
Harikrishna attempted to surprise him in game two with an offbeat Caro-Kann, even reaching a dynamic middlegame. But a critical miscalculation allowed Martínez to break through decisively. The Peruvian star then calmly forced a threefold repetition to clinch the draw he needed.
After the match, he sent a bold message:
“Anyone who wants to go far in this World Cup has to get through me.”
Given his composure and blitz strength, few would disagree.
Donchenko vs. Lê Quang Liêm: Last Ticket to the Last Eight
The day’s final match was also the most dramatic. Donchenko—heartbroken after letting a win slip in the classical portion—responded with resilience. Playing the Grünfeld, he transformed Liêm’s structural concessions into a winning passed pawn and took the first rapid game.
Liêm responded beautifully. Needing a win, he launched a bold kingside pawn storm in the Modern Defense, capitalizing on a missed defensive resource by Donchenko and sending the match into blitz.
The first blitz game lasted only minutes—a quick draw. But the decisive second blitz game was a tactical explosion. In a sharp Nimzo-Indian, Donchenko unleashed the stunning blow 31.Qg7+!, a move he jokingly called a “cheap trick” but one that effectively sealed the match. He converted the advantage and became the final player to qualify for the quarterfinals.
The Final Eight
The quarterfinal lineup is now locked:
| Player | Age (2025) | Country | Current Elo (Nov 2025) | Peak Elo | Peak Ranking | Titles & Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arjun Erigaisi | 22 | India | 2769 | 2801 (Dec 2024) | No. 3 | India’s #1 player (2024), crossed 2800, Tata Steel 2024 contender, known for hyper-aggressive “madman” style |
| Wei Yi | 26 | China | 2753 | 2763 (2024) | No. 7 | Youngest ever to reach 2700, Tata Steel Masters 2024 champion, 3× Chinese Champion |
| Javokhir Sindarov | 19 | Uzbekistan | 2721 | 2722 (2025) | No. 24 | Chess prodigy (GM at 12), multiple giant-killings (Firouzja 2021, MVL 2023), strong Grand Swiss 2023 finish |
| Nodirbek Yakubboev | 23 | Uzbekistan | 2689 | 2689 (2025) | No. 37 | 3× Uzbek Champion, Olympiad 2022 gold (team) + board bronze, Qatar Masters 2023 champion |
| Andrey Esipenko | 23 | FIDE (formerly Russia) | 2681 | 2723 (2022) | No. 24 | Won European U10, U16 & World U16, famous for defeating Carlsen at Tata Steel 2021 |
| Sam Shankland | 34 | USA | 2649 | 2731 (2019) | No. 24 | 2018 U.S. Champion, Olympiad team gold 2016, reserve board gold 2014 |
| José Martínez Alcántara | 26 | Mexico (formerly Peru) | 2644 | 2644 (2025) | No. 76 | World U18 Champion, beat Abdusattorov 2–0 at World Cup 2025, elite online/blitz specialist |
| Alexander Donchenko | 27 | Germany | 2641 | 2684 (2023) | No. 52 | Winner of Tata Steel Challengers 2023, Barcelona Open 2019 champion, consistent European circuit performer |
Three former prodigies, two Uzbek powerhouses, a resurgent American, a fearless blitz specialist, and a German giant-killer—every storyline is alive, and no matchup is easy.
Tomorrow, the quarterfinals begin.
Eight remain. Four will advance.
And with the podium now within reach, the fighting chess is only just heating up. Stay tuned.
Watch the pairings and live games of FIDE World Cup 2025 here
I’m a passionate board game enthusiast and a skilled player in chess, xiangqi and Go. Words for Attacking Chess since 2023. Ping me at Lichess for a game or chat.
