The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 tournament witnessed significant shifts in Round 5, with upsets and impressive performances shaping the competition. Top-seeded Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa and current World Champion D Gukesh faced unexpected losses, impacting the rankings in the prestigious Isle of Man event.
Praggnanandhaa, one of the pre-tournament favorites, was defeated by Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum. Praggnanandhaa, playing with white, was unable to gain an advantage, and Bluebaum gradually gained control. The day’s most significant upset came when D Gukesh lost to Abhimanyu Mishra, the youngest Grandmaster globally. Mishra, despite his youth, took advantage of Gukesh’s positional errors, achieving a remarkable win.
India’s Arjun Erigaisi bounced back with a commanding victory against Nikita Vitiugov, representing Switzerland. Erigaisi displayed his strategic depth, enhancing his chances in the tournament. Meanwhile, Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran maintained his strong performance, defeating Hungary’s Richard Rapport with black pieces, and taking the sole lead. Maghsoodloo’s aggressive and precise gameplay dismantled Rapport’s strategy. As the tournament moves into the second half, the competition remains intense, with the Candidates Tournament spots at stake. Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh will strive to regain their form, and Erigaisi and Maghsoodloo will aim to keep up their momentum. Round 6 is anticipated to bring further excitement to Isle of Man.
