Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi will have to fight it out in the rapid tiebreaks after being held to a second consecutive draw by China’s Wei Yi in their quarterfinal clash at the FIDE World Cup 2025.
Despite creating real winning chances with the white pieces, Arjun could not convert his superior position, leaving the classical mini-match tied 1–1.
The stakes could not be higher. A place in the newly christened Viswanathan Anand Cup final and an all-important ticket to the 2026 Candidates Tournament in Cyprus awaits the two finalists. With the classical portion complete, Arjun now enters the faster format where he is widely considered one of the strongest in the world as the favourite to advance.
Game 2: Advantage Missed
After a pragmatic, short draw with black on Monday, Arjun came into the second game looking to push for victory. The Indian No. 1 opted for a principled setup in a balanced middlegame and gradually accumulated pressure against Wei Yi’s position. By the mid-game phase, engine evaluations began favoring Arjun significantly.
At one critical moment, the computer suggested a bold bishop sacrifice an enterprising option that could have cracked the Chinese star’s defenses. Arjun instead chose the more restrained Qd2, maintaining structural solidity but letting Wei Yi regroup. Once the Chinese GM consolidated, the balance shifted back to equality and the game fizzled toward a draw.
Arjun begins Wednesday’s tiebreaks with the black pieces, but given his proven strength in rapid and blitz formats highlighted by victories at elite events like TATA Steel 2024 he remains the frontrunner to progress into the semifinals.
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Arjun’s quarterfinal campaign had begun on a solid note on Monday. Taking the black pieces into a Closed Ruy Lopez, the Warangal grandmaster neutralized Wei Yi’s preparation with impressive ease. He maintained a time advantage throughout the opening phase and navigated the position into a stable, equal rook-and-pawn ending. After crossing the 30-move threshold, the players repeated moves to agree to a draw. Notably, Arjun completed the game with more time on the clock than he started with an indication of his deep preparation and control.
With the white pieces scheduled for Game 2, Arjun had seemed poised to push harder. He did exactly that, but Wei Yi defended resourcefully when it mattered most.
Other Quarterfinal Clashes: Three Matches Head to Tiebreak
The remaining boards produced a quiet but tense day. Three of the four quarterfinals are now tied 1–1 and will be decided in Wednesday’s tiebreaks.
GM Sam Shankland vs GM Andrey Esipenko:
Their second game ended in a 37-move draw. Neither player managed to create significant imbalances across the classical phase.
GM Javokhir Sindarov vs GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara:
This matchup saw the fastest game of the round ending in just 25 moves and lasting only 18 minutes. With neither side willing to risk a decisive imbalance, the tiebreak becomes the real battleground.
The day’s only clear outcome came from the fourth quarterfinal.
Yakubboev Only Player to Reach Semifinals
Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev emerged as the sole semifinalist after drawing his second game against Germany’s Alexander Donchenko in 57 moves. Having won the first game with the white pieces, Yakubboev needed only a draw to close the match, and he did so comfortably.
The Uzbek GM has been one of the most impressive performers of the tournament. His classical strength, coupled with sharp tactical awareness, now takes him into the final four where he will await the winner of the Shankland–Esipenko clash.
Quarterfinal Classical Results
Match Aggregates after Two Classical Games:
- Arjun Erigaisi – Wei Yi: 1–1
- Sam Shankland – Andrey Esipenko: 1–1
- Javokhir Sindarov – Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara: 1–1
- Nodirbek Yakubboev – Alexander Donchenko: 1.5–0.5
With one semifinalist locked in and three places still up for grabs, Wednesday’s tiebreaks promise high drama.
For India, all eyes will be on Arjun Erigaisi whose rapid instincts and recent form make him a compelling favourite to keep his World Cup run alive.
