Ivanchuk praises FIDE World Cup in Goa after Nepomniachtchi’s criticism: 'I have no complaints'

Ukrainian chess legend Vassily Ivanchuk has praised the organisers of the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa, days after Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi sparked controversy with his negative comments about the playing conditions in India. Nepomniachtchi had made the remarks after his early exit from the tournament.

Ivanchuk, who was also eliminated in the second round after losing to American GM Sam Shankland, spoke highly of the arrangements and the atmosphere at the event. He thanked his supporters and everyone else involved in the tournament. Ivanchuk also added that his early exit had nothing to do with the conditions and was a result of his own performance.

“Excellent, excellent, excellent. I just want to say thank you to the organisers for the correct atmosphere, and to the arbiters of course. I have no complaints. I can only say thank you to everybody, especially those who supported me,” Ivanchuk said during a press conference on Friday.

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Vassily Ivanchuk praised the organisers and playing conditions at the FIDE World Cup in Goa 🇮🇳👏

He looked genuinely happy with the setup and the energy around the event@aicfchess @ChessbaseIndia pic.twitter.com/pDanagfZaW

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 7, 2025

“My play, it’s my choice, my problem probably. But it has no relation to atmosphere, to organisers. I prepared lines, but my preparation wasn’t so good, unfortunately, probably, especially from the psychological side. From the opening aspect I was more or less prepared, but psychologically it’s more difficult,” he added.

What did Nepo say in his criticism?

Ivanchuk’s remarks came as a stark contrast to Nepomniachtchi’s reaction earlier this week. After losing to Indian GM Diptayan Ghosh in the second round, the two-time Candidates winner took to Telegram to criticise the tournament conditions, writing that it was “one of those places you won’t regret leaving.”

“I’d played in India before (in 2019 in Kolkata), so I had a general idea of what the conditions would be like. But FIDE, to their credit, managed to surprise me. There’s nothing to say about the chess aspect. It’s one of those places you won’t regret leaving,” Nepomniachtchi had said.

Nepo’s comments drew backlash from fans, who accused him of being disrespectful and making excuses for his loss. Some even called him a “sore loser.” He reportedly left the hotel in Goa within an hour of his exit from the World Cup.