Overview
- After a draw in the first classical game, Ghosh won the second with Black and forced resignation on move 46 to take the match 1.5–0.5.
- The 27-year-old Kolkata grandmaster called it the biggest win of his career and moved into Round 3.
- Nepomniachtchi’s early exit closes his World Cup route to the Candidates as he publicly criticised event "conditions" on Telegram and left the official hotel shortly after the loss without filing a formal complaint, according to reports.
- India’s contingent pushed deep into Round 3, with Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Harikrishna and Karthik Venkataraman advancing in classical play, and Vidit Gujrathi, R Praggnanandhaa, V Pranav, M Pranesh and S L Narayanan progressing via tiebreaks; Nihal Sarin was eliminated.
- The World Cup in Panaji features 206 players in a knockout format with three berths to the 2026 Candidates Tournament on offer.