Summary of "Interview with Daniil Dubov | TieBreaks | Round 4 | FIDE World Cup 2025"

Interview with Daniil Dubov After Round 4 of the FIDE World Cup 2025

In this interview following Round 4 of the FIDE World Cup 2025, Daniil Dubov discusses his recent victory over Praggnanandhaa and shares insights into his approach and thoughts on the match.

Reflections on the Match

Dubov reflects on the two classical games, describing them as shaky. He felt he should have won the first classical game but ended up drawing. The quick first rapid game afterward was crucial in securing his overall win.

He explains his strategy during the match:

Playing conservatively with White, often aiming for draws due to the high level of preparation from opponents.
Being more ambitious with Black, which ultimately paid off in this encounter.

Dubov acknowledges that Praggnanandhaa did not perform at his best and was outplayed. However, he also admits that luck plays a role at this stage of the competition.

Views on Rapid and Tie-Break Formats

Dubov expresses a preference for rapid and tie-break formats over classical chess. He cites several reasons:

The extensive preparation required for classical games.
The difficulty in gaining an advantage with White against well-prepared opponents.

Despite these challenges, Dubov notes that winning is always satisfying, especially since someone close to him wanted him to win this match.

Thoughts on Praggnanandhaa’s Style

Regarding Praggnanandhaa’s playing style, Dubov describes it as:

“Very universal and solid.”

He acknowledges that Praggnanandhaa is simply very good at chess but suggests he was not at his peak during this tournament.

Ambitions and Future Goals

When asked about his own ambitions, particularly about aiming for the world’s top five, Dubov remains non-committal, stating that it is not a current focus.