Duvov vs Meier • FIDE World Cup 2025 • Goa, India (2025) • Vienna Game: Frankenstein‑Dracula Variation (C27)

In the sun-soaked shores of Goa, India, during the 2025 FIDE World Cup—a high-stakes knockout event from October 31 to November 26 with $2 million in prizes and spots to the 2026 Candidates Tournament—Russian GM Daniil Dubov (2684), often hailed as the “Modern Tal” for his tactical fireworks, faced off against Uruguayan GM Georg Meier (2596) in Round 3 tiebreaks. This wasn’t their first dance; the classical and initial rapid games had all drawn, including a cheeky six-move quickie, building massive tension ahead of the decisive 10+10 rapid clashes where Dubov advanced to face Praggnanandhaa next.​

Dubov unleashed chaos early with the sharp Frankenstein-Dracula Variation of the Vienna Game: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Bb3 Nc6 6.Nb5, forcing Meier into wild lines with g6 and Nf5. Exchanges flew—Bxh6, Qf3 Bxb3, Bg7 Bxb5—leading to a messy middlegame where Dubov grabbed exchanges, but Meier fought back with Nxe5. The turning point hit on move 22…Qf6??, a fatal blunder exposing his king; Dubov pounced with the brilliant 23.Re8+! Kf7 24.Qc4+!, forking and dismantling Black’s position, forcing resignation after a crushing tactical sequence. Dubov’s precision under time pressure sealed a thrilling win, showcasing why he’s a knockout terror.