FIDE World Cup 2025 Round 4: Donchenko & Martinez Lead Big Upsets As 11 Matches Head To Tiebreaks

Chessbrainz Nov 13,2025 - 09:44

What Happened on Day 2 of Round 4?

Round 4 of the FIDE World Cup 2025 delivered one of the most dramatic days of the entire tournament. With qualification to the Last 16 on the line, several matches entered must-not-lose territory. While a few elite players held steady, others faced surprising collapses, turning the round into a showcase of nerves, precision, and bold preparation.

Only five players secured qualification through classical games.
The remaining 11 matches will be decided in tomorrow’s rapid and blitz tiebreaks.

WHY Donchenko & Martinez Are the Stories of the Day

Two players defined the momentum:

1. Alexander Donchenko – Eliminates Two Grand Swiss Qualifiers

Donchenko continued his dream run by defeating Matthias Bluebaum, adding to his earlier knockout of Anish Giri.

Played for two results from the start
Converted the endgame with clinical precision
Reached the Last 16 with tremendous confidence

He becomes the only player this round to upset a higher-rated opponent.

2. Jose Martinez – The Alapin Masterclass

Martinez only needed a draw after winning Game 1, and he handled the situation perfectly.

Used the Alapin Sicilian again
Trapped Sarana with the tactical sequence
Secured an early draw by repetition
Advanced to the Last 16 smoothly

His discipline and opening depth continue to be a highlight of the event.

HOW Aronian Played Creative, Risky & Precise Chess

Levon Aronian’s high-risk approach again showed why he remains one of the most creative players in modern chess.

Sacrificed material early
Navigated complications with confidence
Closed the match with a controlled draw

He now enters the Last 16 as one of the strongest contenders in the bottom half of the bracket.

WHAT Led to Yakubboev, Liem & Donchenko’s Clean Progression

Three more players won decisively:

Nodirbek Yakubboev produced a brilliant tactical finish with 38.Ra8!, leaving Pranav helpless.
Liem Le outplayed Karthik Venkataraman in a structural battle after 25.Rd1?? allowed the breakthrough …b4!
Alexander Donchenko completed the German derby with a strong positional win.

All three earned their place in the Last 16 without needing tiebreaks.

WHERE Most Matches Went: 98–99% Accuracy & Safe Play

With elimination looming, several players chose stability over risk.

Draws were recorded in matches such as

Grebnev – Vachier-Lagrave
Rapport – Shankland
Arjun – Leko
Sargsyan – Svane
Sindarov – Yu Yangyi
Keymer – Esipenko

Nearly all produced 98–99% accuracy, demonstrating world-class preparation.

These results set up tiebreak clashes featuring:

Praggnanandhaa vs. Dubov
Arjun vs. Leko
Esipenko vs. Keymer
Rapport vs. Shankland
Wei Yi vs. Maghsoodloo

Tomorrow promises one of the most intense tiebreak days of the entire World Cup.

WHEN are the tiebreaks?

🕒 November 13, 2025
📍 3:00 PM IST (Local Time)

Why We at ChessBrainz Follow Every Move

At ChessBrainz, events like the FIDE World Cup are not just tournaments they are live classrooms.
When a player like Donchenko finds a subtle positional improvement or Martinez executes a perfect tactical sequence, there’s always a deeper lesson for young learners.

Every round teaches something:

handling pressure
converting small advantages
preparing openings with structure
defending tough positions
balancing confidence with discipline

Our teaching philosophy has always centered around turning real tournament moments into accessible learning for students.

If your child enjoys learning through real chess examples and structured guidance, a free demo class at ChessBrainz is the best way to experience how we convert world-class games into practical improvement.

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