Pranav V faces scoresheet controversy, wins 3rd-round clash at Chess World Cup 2025
Baku, Azerbaijan – The Chess World Cup 2025 turned tense on Friday as Indian Grandmaster (GM) Pranav V faced a complaint from Lithuanian GM Titas Stremavicius during their third-round battle. The issue arose when Stremavicius accused Pranav of making several moves without noting them on his scoresheet — a violation of official chess rules.
The incident briefly disrupted the match. A third arbiter stepped in to resolve the situation. After a short discussion, the arbiter issued a formal warning to Pranav, and play resumed. Despite the hiccup, Pranav regained focus and went on to win the game, taking the lead in the third-round encounter.
Later, Pranav addressed the controversy with calmness and clarity. “I did not know this, but you cannot make three moves without writing them down,” he admitted. His statement indicated an honest oversight rather than deliberate rule-breaking.
Meanwhile, Indian players delivered a strong performance on the same day. Arjun Erigaisi and Pentala Harikrishna registered impressive victories with white pieces. World Champion D Gukesh held a solid draw with black in his opening third-round match, maintaining composure against a tough opponent.
Erigaisi showcased exceptional control against Uzbekistan’s Shamsiddin Vokhidov, wrapping up the game in just 30 moves. His precise play and sharp tactical approach left little room for resistance. On the other hand, Harikrishna defeated Belgium’s Daniel Dardha in only 25 moves, dominating from the opening.
Speaking after his win, Harikrishna said, “I had prepared something new. Of course, I had some help, but I couldn’t recall all the moves in this variation. Still, there were nice tricks that worked, and my opponent missed some key ideas. He didn’t realise the danger in time.” His preparation and mid-game awareness clearly paid off.
The World Cup has already seen dramatic turns, with several top names exiting early. Ian Nepomniachtchi, Wesley So, and Hans Niemann were among the big eliminations after second-round defeats. The knockout format has added intensity, with each game carrying high stakes.
A total of 10 Indian players have now advanced to the third round — an unprecedented performance showcasing India’s growing dominance in world chess. Players like Pranav, Erigaisi, Harikrishna, and Gukesh continue to represent the new generation of Indian chess excellence on the global stage.
As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly await whether India can carry this momentum further into the knockout rounds. For Pranav, the scoresheet controversy seems behind him. His focus now shifts entirely to the board — where every move, recorded or not, counts toward his pursuit of glory.
The next round begins on Sunday, with matchups expected to grow tougher. Yet, India’s strong start signals that this World Cup might turn into a defining chapter in the country’s modern chess history.
