FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi Soars as India’s Final Contender in World Cup Quarterfinals

India’s presence at the FIDE World Cup 2025 has narrowed to one top player. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi is now the country’s sole contender after GM P. Harikrishna fell in a gripping Round 5 tiebreak, leading to a high-stakes quarterfinal.

What Happened to India's Other Hope?

GM P. Harikrishna’s run ended in a tense clash with Peru’s GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara. After their two classical games and the first two rapid games all ended in draws, the match went to a nerve-wracking decider. In the final 10-minute rapid game, Harikrishna, with the white pieces, began well and even gained a time edge. But Martinez handled the pressure calmly, and once the queens came off, he slowly outplayed Harikrishna in a rook-and-pawn endgame. Forced to win with black in the next game to stay in the event, Harikrishna tried hard but couldn’t break through, settling for a draw and exiting the tournament.

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How Did Arjun Erigaisi Secure His Quarterfinal Spot?

In stark contrast to the tiebreak drama, second-seed Arjun Erigaisi advanced with commanding authority. He faced the formidable challenge of GM Levon Aronian, a former two-time World Cup champion. Arjun did not need the rapid tiebreaks; he defeated Aronian in the classical portion itself with a score of 1.5-0.5. Beating such a seasoned opponent with control and composure shows how well he’s playing right now and firmly establishes him as a top threat for the title.

Who Else Advanced to the Quarterfinals?

The other tiebreak matches were equally dramatic, shaping the final eight.

• GM Sam Shankland advanced by defeating former World Rapid Champion GM Daniil Dubov.
• GM Andrey Esipenko also progressed by beating GM Aleksey Grebnev.
• Germany’s GM Alexander Donchenko claimed the last spot by outplaying GM Lê Quang Liem.

These results have set up a thrilling lineup for the next round, where the world's best will compete for a spot in the semifinals.

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What is the Next Challenge for Arjun?

Arjun Erigaisi’s next challenge is Chinese sensation GM Wei Yi in the quarterfinals. It’s set to be a battle between two top talents, with India’s only remaining player up against a global chess powerhouse. The other quarterfinal pairings are Sam Shankland vs. Andrey Esipenko, and Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara vs. GM Javokhir Sindarov. All of India's chess fans will be watching as Arjun carries the nation's ambitions forward in this prestigious tournament.