'If That's Your Attitude, Just Give Up Chess': Sam Shankland's Bold Message After Knocking Out Vidit Gujrathi at FIDE World Cup 2025

American Grandmaster Sam Shankland stunned the chess world at the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa after eliminating India's Vidit Gujrathi (2.5-3.5) ??in the tie-breaks of Round 3 on Saturday. Following the dramatic result, the former US Champion spoke to Chessbase India and sent a strong message that showed his competitive mindset. "I never come into any tournament thinking that I'm gonna lose, if that's your attitude, just give up chess," Shankland said after his victory. "I thought if I played my best chess, I should go through as many matches as I can," he added. ?Reflecting on his form, Shankland hinted at rediscovering the level that once put him among the top performers globally. "When I had my best-ever performances, they were around 2900. I can't do that every time, but if I can do it once every few years or something and this happens to be the time, why not"? He said with a smile. On what turned out to be a dramatic day, S. L. Narayanan also had to concede defeat against Yangyi Yu of China in the first set of tie-break games, but V. Karthik continued his dream run and defeated Deac Bogdan-Daniel of Romania 1.5-0.5. Karthik reached the fourth round, which means there are five Indians left in the fray after the first three rounds. The two favourites, Arjun Erigaisi and R. Praggnanandhaa, along with P. Harikrishna, who has shown sublime form here, and world junior champion V. Pranav, who has proved that he is the next big Indian star in the making, have already qualified by winning games under the classical format. It will be a test of time for the five Indians in the last 32 stage of the event, which started with 206 players. With the top three slots at stake for the following Candidates' tournament, it seems that the battles will be even more interesting in the rounds to come.