FIDE Grand Swiss: 14-year-old Erdogmus upsets world chess champion Gukesh, Vaishali shines on top

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New Delhi: A major surprise unfolded at the FIDE Grand Swiss when 14-year-old Turkish prodigy Yagiz Khan Erdogmus held reigning world champion D Gukesh to a draw in the second round. Gukesh appeared to be cruising toward victory, but mounting time pressure forced him into errors, allowing the teenager to escape with a half point. The result was seen as one of the biggest shocks of the round, highlighting the composure and potential of the young Erdogmus.

Meanwhile, top seed R Praggnanandhaa secured his first win of the tournament by defeating Ivan Zenlyanskii, who is playing under the FIDE flag following Russia’s suspension. The victory gave the Indian a much-needed boost in momentum after a cautious opening round. In the Open section, France’s Alireza Firouzja, Iran’s Parham Maghsoodloo, and Slovenia’s Anton Demchenko all lead the standings with two points each, keeping the competition wide open.

Vaishali earns crucial points

In the women’s division, R Vaishali continued her excellent run by notching back-to-back victories to collect two valuable points. The Indian international master is now tied at the top with Austria’s Olga Badelka. Vaishali, who also triumphed in this event two years ago, is again positioning herself as one of the frontrunners to claim the crown.

Prize fund and stakes

This year’s Grand Swiss, now in its fourth edition, features a massive field of 116 players in the Open section competing for a prize fund of Rs 5.51 crore. The champion will walk away with a hefty Rs 79.39 lakh. Among the top contenders are Indian stars Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Gukesh, all of whom carry the nation’s hopes on their shoulders.

The stakes are high with the top two players from both the Open and Women’s sections earning qualification for the prestigious eight-player 2026 Candidates Tournament, which will decide the next challengers for the World Chess Championship.