GM Arjun Erigaisi defeated GM Peter Leko in both the rapid games, while Pentala Harikrishna made the most of the chances he got to beat GM Nils Grandelius in the second game to advance to the pre-quarterfinals of the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Panaji, Goa, on Thursday.
Harikrishna survived anxious moments before defeating Yuri Vidal Gonzales of Cuba 3.5-2.5.
Harikrishna consolidated his position at the top of the table after registering a victory over Ruslan Ponomariov.
Harikrishna started on a dominating note and took the attack to his opponent from the word go.
Harikrishna will take on Russian Grandmaster Alexander Morozevich in his third-round encounter.
Harikrishna finished runner-up in the Rapid Chess Championship at the Biel International Chess Festival.
Harikrishna will take on Alexander Grischuk from Russia on Thursday night.
Harikrishna has won one and drawn three games to amass a total of two and a half points.
Harikrishna will be eager to maintain his momentum against English Grandmaster Michael Adams.
Harikrishna beat Nepomniachtchi in his eighth round tie in the Moscow FIDE GP.
