Diptayan Ghosh Defeats Ian Nepomniachtchi in Chess World Cup 2025 After 2-Year Break

In one of the most remarkable stories from the Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa, Indian Grandmaster Diptayan Ghosh stunned the chess world by defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi, the reigning World Blitz Champion and former World Championship contender, in the second round of the tournament.

What makes this victory even more inspiring is Diptayan’s journey — the 27-year-old had once taken a two-year break from chess to work at a bank before returning to competitive play. “This is the biggest win of my career so far,” Diptayan said after his monumental triumph.

With this victory, Diptayan has firmly re-established himself among India’s rising chess elite, showing that determination and passion can reignite even after years away from the board. His win over one of the sport’s biggest names is being hailed as one of the greatest upsets in recent chess history.