India’s promising journey in the Chess tournament at the Esports World Cup concluded in the quarterfinals on Friday, as the nation’s top contenders, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin, were eliminated, though not without making a significant impact by reaching the elite top eight. Their presence marked India’s strongest performance to date in the Esports World Cup Chess event.
Arjun Erigaisi, representing Gen.G Esports, faced a formidable challenge against Team Falcons’ Hikaru Nakamura. Their quarterfinal match proved to be a nail-biting affair, ultimately decided by an Armageddon tiebreak. All four regulation games between the two Grandmasters ended in draws, highlighting the intense and evenly matched competition. In the decisive Armageddon game, Nakamura, playing with the white pieces, skillfully converted his positional advantage into a checkmate, thereby securing his spot in the semifinals. This encounter was a familiar one, as Nakamura had previously defeated Arjun in the third-place playoff of the same tournament last year, underscoring the ongoing rivalry between these two chess titans.
Simultaneously, Nihal Sarin confronted another familiar and formidable opponent in his quarterfinal: the reigning champion, Magnus Carlsen of Team Liquid. This match was a replay of a knockout stage encounter from the previous year, with Carlsen once again demonstrating his dominance. The Norwegian chess maestro swiftly won the first two games, and the third ended in a draw, giving him a commanding 2.5-0.5 victory. This decisive win propelled Carlsen into the semifinals, allowing him to continue his quest to defend his title.
The other two quarterfinals also delivered their share of drama and decisive outcomes. AG.AL’s Denis Lazavik triumphed over Natus Vincere’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov in an Armageddon tiebreak, while Team Falcons’ Alireza Firouzja secured a 2.5-1.5 victory against GodLike Esports’ Hans Moke Niemann. These results set the stage for compelling semifinal clashes. Nakamura is slated to face Lazavik, while Carlsen will take on Firouzja, in what promises to be a repeat of last year’s gripping final.
Despite their exit from the tournament, both Arjun and Nihal’s quarterfinal appearances are a testament to their exceptional skill and dedication. Each player will receive a substantial prize of USD 75,000 from the tournament’s impressive USD 1.5 million (approximately INR 14.3 crore) prize pool, acknowledging their significant achievements. The Indian contingent also included Pranesh M of S8UL Esports, who was eliminated earlier in the Lower Bracket but still earned USD 55,000 (approximately INR 52.5 lakh). Aravindh Chithambaram, also from S8UL, exited during the Play-Ins and received USD 23,000 (approximately INR 21.9 lakh). These earnings underscore the growing financial incentives within the professional sports arena.
The EWC Chess playoffs now advance to the semifinals, which will be contested over six games, promising extended strategic battles. The ultimate championship match will employ a best-of-three sets format. The initial two sets will each comprise four games, and should a decisive winner not emerge, a third set consisting of two games will be played to determine the champion, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to this high-stakes tournament.
