World chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju was eliminated in the third round of the FIDE World Cup on Saturday, marking an unexpected setback in the volatile tournament held in Goa, India. The event, which concludes on November 27, offers the top three finishers qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Several other top players also faced early exits amid the competition's unpredictability.
The FIDE World Cup in Goa, India, has proven highly volatile, with world champion Gukesh Dommaraju becoming the latest top seed to fall. On Saturday, Gukesh, playing with the white pieces against Germany's Frederik Svane, ranked 85th in the world, needed only a draw to force a tiebreak. However, he lost his way in the middlegame, leading to his knockout in the third round.
Gukesh's departure was part of a broader trend of upsets. Joining him on the sidelines were Anish Giri, the fourth seed from the Netherlands and recent Grand Swiss champion, as well as Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov, world number 12. Earlier eliminations included American Hans Niemann, Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi—a two-time world championship challenger—and world number eight Wesley So. In total, six of the top 10 seeds have now been ousted from the eight-round tournament.
Despite the challenges for the elite players, Indian representation remains strong. Arjun Erigaisi and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa both advanced to the fourth round, keeping hopes alive for a home qualification to the Candidates Tournament. That eight-player event will determine Gukesh's challenger for the 2026 world title match.
The tournament's early volatility underscores the competitive nature of the field, where underdogs have capitalized on mistakes by favorites. As the event progresses toward its November 27 conclusion, the race for the top three spots intensifies.