New Delhi: Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi’s campaign at the FIDE World Cup came to an abrupt end in Panaji on Wednesday after a 1.5-2.5 loss to China’s Wei Yi in the first set of rapid tiebreaks. With both classical games ending in draws, the contest moved into the quicker format, where Arjun’s resistance fell short against a sharper and more precise opponent.
In the first rapid game, Arjun opted for the French Defence with the black pieces but soon found himself struggling. A miscalculated sequence cost him a rook for a minor piece, giving Wei Yi a commanding advantage on the board. Despite the setback, Arjun fought hard, defending resourcefully in a difficult endgame until Wei Yi faltered and allowed the Indian to salvage a draw.
The second rapid game proved far more punishing. With the white pieces, Arjun sought early control but Wei Yi seized the initiative in the middlegame, placing his light-squared bishop on an aggressive outpost that dictated the flow of play. Arjun slipped a pawn in the endgame, and although the position still offered complexity, Wei Yi converted with accuracy, using well-timed pawn advances to force a decisive finish. Arjun was eventually checkmated, bringing his World Cup journey to a close.
Elsewhere in the quarterfinals, Andrey Esipenko advanced after a 4-2 victory over American GM Sam Shankland, winning both games in the second set of tiebreaks. In another matchup, Javokhir Sindarov became the second Uzbek player in the semifinals after overcoming Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara 3.5-2.5 in a tense battle that tested both players’ nerves.
The semifinals will now feature Esipenko against Wei Yi, while Nodirbek Yakubboev faces Sindarov. Arjun’s exit confirms that India’s hopes for a spot in the Candidates Tournament rest solely on R Praggnanandhaa, whose strong performances throughout the year have positioned him well for qualification.
