Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi was knocked out of the FIDE World Cup after suffering a 1.5–2.5 defeat to China’s Wei Yi in the first set of tiebreak games in Panaji on Wednesday. The exit came as a shock for the Indian star, who ran out of luck in the rapid games despite holding his own during the classical encounters.
After both classical games ended in draws, Arjun entered the rapid tiebreaks with the black pieces in the first game and opted for the French Defence. The choice did not pay off. Arjun soon found himself under pressure, losing a rook for a minor piece. Computer evaluations heavily favoured Wei Yi at that stage, but Arjun, known for his resourcefulness, put up fierce resistance despite the material deficit. His perseverance paid off when Wei Yi slipped in the endgame, allowing Arjun to salvage a draw.
However, the second rapid game proved decisive — and disappointing — for Arjun. With the white pieces, he never managed to gain control. Wei Yi secured a strong middlegame position, anchoring his light-squared bishop deep on the sixth rank, creating persistent problems for the Indian.
Arjun eventually lost a pawn in the endgame. Though complications lingered on the board, Wei Yi navigated them with technical precision, using timely pawn advances to increase the pressure. Arjun ultimately succumbed to a final mating sequence, ending his World Cup journey.
In other quarterfinal action, Andrey Esipenko defeated American GM Sam Shankland 4–2. After both players traded victories in the first set of tiebreaks, Shankland faltered in the second set, losing both games and handing Esipenko the match.
Meanwhile, Uzbek star Javokhir Sindarov became the second player from Uzbekistan — after Nodirbek Yakubboev — to reach the semifinals, defeating Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara 3.5–2.5. The match turned into a nerve-wracking battle, and Sindarov proved the more composed competitor when it mattered.
The semifinals will now see Esipenko face Wei Yi, while Yakubboev meets Sindarov.
Arjun’s exit means India will have only one potential representative in the Candidates Tournament. R. Praggnanandhaa, with his consistent performances throughout the year, remains the likely contender to secure India’s spot at the prestigious event.