FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi keeps India’s title hope alive with draw against Wei Yi in quarter-final game 1
(Courtesy : Picture Credit_Michal Walusza-FIDE)
Arjun Erigaisi and Wei Yi ended in a draw by threefold repetition after 31 moves.
Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi (2773) kept India’s flag flying high as he held Chinese Grandmaster Wei Yi (2754) to a solid draw in 31 moves in the first classical quarter-final game of the $2 million FIDE World Cup 2025 at Hotel Resort Rio, Goa.
A place in the newly christened Viswanathan Anand Cup final and a coveted spot in the Candidates 2026, scheduled for March in Cyprus, awaits the winner of this prestigious event.
It goes to the credit of the Andhra boy from Warangal that he drew his game against the dangerous Chinese GM Wei Yi without breaking a sweat.
The 2024 champion took the opening battle into a Ruy Lopez Closed system, a position that held no demons for the Indian. Showing excellent preparation, GM Arjun Erigaisi maintained a time advantage throughout.
By move 27, the game had simplified into a drawn rook-and-pawn ending, and the players agreed to a draw by threefold repetition after crossing the 30-move threshold.
A notable highlight was Arjun’s exceptional speed of play—he finished the game with more time on his clock than he started with, reflecting both confidence and preparation. The second classical game now becomes a crucial encounter, with Arjun having the advantage of the white pieces.
Also Read: FIDE Chess World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi defeats Aronian to reach quarters; Harikrishna to play tiebreak
In the other quarter-final matches, former US Champion GM Sam Shankland (2654) drew with GM Andrey Esipenko (2693) in 38 moves, while GM Sindarov Javokhir (2721) and GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara (2644) split the point after 39 moves.
The only decisive result of the day came from Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev (2689), who defeated Germany’s GM Alexander Donchenko (2641).
Quarter-final Game 1 Results:
Wei Yi drew with Arjun Erigaisi 0.5-0.5
Sam Shankland drew with Andrey Esipenko 0.5-0.5
Sindarov Javokhir drew with Martinez Alcantara Jose Eduardo 0.5-0.5
Yakubboev Nodirbek beat Donchenko Alexander 1-0
How did Arjun Erigaisi perform in the first quarter-final game of the FIDE World Cup?
Arjun Erigaisi held Chinese GM Wei Yi to a comfortable 31-move draw, showcasing strong preparation and maintaining a time advantage throughout.
When will the next classical game take place, and who has the advantage?
The second classical game is crucial and Arjun will have the advantage of playing with the white pieces.
What were the results of the other quarter-final matches?
Sam Shankland–Esipenko and Sindarov–Martinez ended in draws, while Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev scored the only win by defeating Alexander Donchenko.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
Alex graduated in mass communication in 2016 and has been covering global sports for Khel Now since then. He is covering sports tech, igaming, sports betting and casino domain from 2017.
- Indian Comedian Samay Raina wins Chess Super Pogchamps; Donates prize money to promote the sport
- Top five all-time youngest Indian chess players to achieve FIDE rating
- Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha becomes youngest FIDE-rated chess player at just 3 years old
- Top five players who impressed at FIDE Chess World Cup 2025
- FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 Payouts: How much did Indian chess players earn in prize money?