Veteran British Champion Defies Odds in Dramatic World Cup
The Chess World Cup in Goa has delivered sensational upsets in its second round, with former world championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi and American star Wesley So among the high-profile casualties. Meanwhile, British champion Michael Adams, 53, has become the oldest player remaining in the competition after a hard-fought victory against Bulgaria's Ivan Cheparinov.
Shock Exits Rock World Cup
The $2 million World Cup's brutal knockout format proved decisive as several top seeds tumbled. Russia's top-ranked Ian Nepomniachtchi, who has twice competed for the world championship, fell to little-known Indian player Diptayan Ghosh. The defeat prompted a philosophical response from Nepomniachtchi: "There's nothing to say about the chess part. Goa is one of those places you don't feel sad about leaving."
In an even more dramatic exit, world number eight Wesley So resigned against Lithuanian Titas Stremavicius in a position that was actually drawn. The American grandmaster overlooked a hidden stalemate resource, handing victory to his lower-rated opponent. Ambitious American Hans Niemann also departed, outplayed by Italy's Lorenzo Lodici.
British Veteran Shows His Class
While the favourites faltered, Michael Adams demonstrated why experience matters in high-pressure chess. The British champion needed ten games to overcome Ivan Cheparinov, eventually securing victory in the blitz tiebreaks. Adams dominated the decisive 3+2 blitz games with subtle strategic play that belied his age.
Cheparinov remains famous in chess circles for his 2008 incident with Nigel Short, where he refused to shake hands before their game, resulting in a forfeit that was later overturned on appeal. The YouTube recording of that confrontation has attracted over 300,000 views.
England's other representative, former Russian Nikita Vitiugov, wasn't as fortunate, losing 2-4 to India's Sunilduth Narayanan.
Young Talent and Future Prospects
The tournament's youngest competitor, 12-year-old Faustino Oro from Argentina, made a strong impression despite his eventual elimination. After defeating higher-ranked Croatian Ante Brkic, Oro fell to India's Vidit Gujrathi. The youngster now turns his attention to becoming the world's youngest ever grandmaster, with just four months remaining to achieve two GM title norms.
Indian grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna produced one of the round's highlights with a brilliant queen sacrifice against the solid Petroff Defence, though the concept was revealed as pre-game preparation.
Adams now faces Italy's Lorenzo Lodici in the third round, with the match available to watch live on lichess with computer analysis. The British veteran's continued presence in the tournament provides a compelling narrative as the World Cup progresses toward its conclusion and the valuable Candidates tournament qualification spots.
