Nihal, Bluebaum Share Grand Swiss Lead; Gukesh Slips Again

Isle of Man: The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 continued to deliver surprises on Day 6 as India’s young star Nihal Sarin and Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum surged into joint leadership, while top seed D Gukesh suffered his third consecutive loss, denting his chances of a strong finish.

Nihal Sarin, displaying his trademark composure under time pressure, defeated Russian GM Alexey Sarana in a tense tactical battle. With this win, Nihal moved to 4.5/6 points, joining Bluebaum at the top of the leaderboard. The 20-year-old Indian has been one of the most consistent performers in the tournament so far, balancing positional play with sharp tactical awareness.

Bluebaum, on his part, overcame Spain’s David Anton in a strategic endgame grind. His precise handling of a rook and pawn ending gave him a crucial full point, keeping him tied with Nihal. Chess experts have praised Bluebaum’s solid preparation and calm demeanor throughout the event.

For Indian fans, however, the major disappointment of the day was Gukesh’s third consecutive defeat. After a promising start to the event, the World No. 6 has struggled with form and confidence. Facing Armenian GM Haik Martirosyan, Gukesh miscalculated a middlegame exchange sacrifice and never recovered. His loss now places him in the middle of the table with just 2.5/6 points.

Other results saw Anish Giri bounce back with a win over Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, while American prodigy Hans Niemann held Levon Aronian to a fighting draw. With the tournament crossing its halfway mark, the leaderboard is tightly packed, and the final rounds promise high drama.

Indian Performance So Far:

• Nihal Sarin – Joint leader with 4.5/6

• Arjun Erigaisi – Scored a crucial win, stays in the chasing pack with 4/6

• D Gukesh – Struggling after 3 consecutive defeats, on 2.5/6

• R Praggnanandhaa – Solid draws keep him steady at 3.5/6

The Grand Swiss carries extra significance as it serves as a qualifying event for the Candidates Tournament 2026, making every result crucial. Nihal’s rise into the joint lead has sparked excitement in Indian chess circles, as he could potentially earn a Candidates berth if he maintains this momentum.

Bluebaum echoed similar sentiments, noting that consistency will be the key in the remaining rounds.

As the Grand Swiss enters its decisive phase, the big question remains: can Nihal maintain his form and make a breakthrough at the highest level, or will experienced campaigners like Giri and Aronian fight back into contention?

For Indian fans, eyes will also be on Gukesh—whether he can bounce back from his slump and regain momentum ahead of next year’s World Championship cycle.