Team Herald
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PANJIM: India’s challenge in the FIDE World Cup 2025 came to an end on Wednesday after GM Arjun Erigaisi went down to China’s GM Wei Yi in the quarterfinal tie-break. Arjun was the only Indian left in the fray at this stage, and with both classical games ending in draws, the tie-break was always likely to be a tense, finely balanced contest.
The 22-year-old from Warangal opted for the French Defence with black in the first tie-break game, and at one point appeared to be in trouble in the middlegame. However, Wei’s error on the 27th move – choosing a rather safe continuation – allowed Arjun to mount a comeback, and the game eventually concluded in a draw after 66 moves.
Arjun, who had also exited the 2023 edition in the quarterfinals after losing the tie-break to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa, needed to overcome Wei’s Petrov Defence in the second rapid game with white. But the Chinese GM stuck to his preparation and seized a winning advantage by move 28. With his tournament life on the line, Arjun battled on, but Wei ultimately ended India’s hopes after 79 moves when he promoted his c-pawn to a queen, forcing resignation.
“I am happy and excited that I could beat such a strong structure. In the first game, I had many chances in the middle and end game but I couldn’t find the way. In the second game, he wanted to win and played some risky moves and I realised I had chances to win,” said Wei after the match.
In the other quarterfinal tie-breaks, GM Andrey Esipenko defeated GM Sam Shankland in the second stage of the tie-break to advance to the semi-finals. Esipenko and Shankland had won a game each in the first set of rapid games, but in the second set, Esipenko first beat Shankland with black and then pressed home the advantage with a win as white to set up a semi-final clash against Wei Yi. GM Javokhir Sindarov claimed the final semi-final berth after overcoming Martinez Alcantara Jose Eduardo in the second set of tie-breaks.
