The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 continues to deliver unexpected results. Round 5 saw upsets that have reshaped the tournament’s landscape. Top seed Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa and reigning World Champion D Gukesh both experienced defeats, altering the leaderboard of the prestigious Isle of Man event.
Praggnanandhaa, the top seed and a pre-tournament favorite, was defeated by Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum. Playing with white, Praggnanandhaa struggled to find his form, allowing Bluebaum to gain an advantage. The bigger shock came when World Champion D Gukesh lost to Abhimanyu Mishra, the world’s youngest Grandmaster. Mishra, despite his young age, capitalized on Gukesh’s errors to secure a significant victory.
India’s Arjun Erigaisi rebounded with a decisive win over Nikita Vitiugov, now playing under the Swiss flag. Erigaisi’s sharp play put him back in contention. Meanwhile, Iran’s Parham Maghsoodloo defeated Hungary’s Richard Rapport, emerging as the sole leader. Maghsoodloo played aggressively to dismantle Rapport’s strategy. As the tournament approaches its second half, the competition remains fierce, with qualification spots for the Candidates Tournament at stake. Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh will aim to regain their form, while Erigaisi and Maghsoodloo will look to build on their momentum. Round 6 promises more excitement in Isle of Man.