The FIDE World Cup 2025 is taking place in Goa, India, from November 1 to November 26, 2025. This major chess championship brings together 206 of the world’s best players competing for a total prize fund of USD 2,000,000.
International Master Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage represented Sri Lanka at this prestigious tournament. The 22-year-old chess star competed in his second World Cup appearance, showing his consistent presence at elite chess competitions.
Ranindu’s Tournament Performance
Ranindu was seeded 181st in the tournament with a rating of 2401. In the first round, he faced a difficult challenge against Armenian Grandmaster Gabriel Sargissian, who was seeded 76th with a rating of 2624.
The match took place on November 1, 2025, and consisted of two classical chess games. Ranindu managed to draw one game but lost the other. His World Cup run ended with a 0.5-1.5 loss against GM Gabriel Sargissian, which meant elimination from the knockout tournament.
Tournament Format
The FIDE World Cup follows a knockout format where losing a match means immediate elimination. Players compete in classical chess games, and if needed, tiebreak games with faster time controls are played. The tournament is organized by the All India Chess Federation and FIDE, with an average player rating of 2552.
Ranindu’s Chess Career
This was Ranindu’s second appearance at the World Cup. He made history in 2021 by becoming the first Sri Lankan male chess player to participate in the FIDE Chess World Cup in Sochi, Russia.
His notable achievements include winning the Sri Lankan National Chess Championship in October 2020 at age 16, becoming the first schoolboy from Ananda College to win this title in 20 years. He also won the Sri Lanka Chess Grand Prix in 2021 and earned a bronze medal at the 2021 Asian Hybrid Chess Championship.
Ranindu began playing chess in 2009 at Asoka Primary School and later studied at Ananda College. He has trained under several coaches including veteran player Suneetha Wijesuriya, Sri Lankan International Master Romesh Weerawardane, and currently works with Uzbekistani Grandmaster Alexei Barsov.
Significance for Sri Lankan Chess
Ranindu’s participation at the World Cup represents an important milestone for Sri Lankan chess. His second consecutive appearance demonstrates consistent performance at the international level and inspires young chess players across Sri Lanka.
While his tournament ended in the first round, competing against top grandmasters provides valuable experience and helps raise the profile of chess in Sri Lanka. His presence at this elite competition shows that players from smaller chess nations can compete on the world stage with proper dedication and training.
