The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 saw dramatic changes in Round 5, with surprising results and the rise of new contenders. Top-ranked R Praggnanandhaa and World Champion D Gukesh were unexpectedly defeated, altering the tournament’s standings in the Isle of Man.
Praggnanandhaa, considered a favorite, lost to Matthias Bluebaum of Germany. Bluebaum outmaneuvered Praggnanandhaa in the middlegame. The biggest surprise was D Gukesh’s defeat to Abhimanyu Mishra, the youngest Grandmaster in the world. Mishra, demonstrating advanced skills for his age, took advantage of Gukesh’s inaccuracies to win.
Arjun Erigaisi of India secured a strong victory against Nikita Vitiugov, who now represents Switzerland. Erigaisi’s tactical skills were on display, enhancing his chances in the tournament. Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran continued his excellent performance, defeating Richard Rapport of Hungary. Maghsoodloo’s aggressive play earned him the sole lead with 4.5 points. As the Grand Swiss advances, the stakes are high, with qualification for the Candidates Tournament on the line. Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh need to recover quickly, while Erigaisi and Maghsoodloo hope to continue their successful runs. The next round promises to be filled with intense competition in Isle of Man.