 "India's Arjun Erigaisi can still earn a mega prize money of Rs 1.27 crore despite losing his semi-finals at the Esports World Cup 2025. Image: Esports World Cup 2025")
India’s top contender, Arjun Erigaisi, suffered a semi-final defeat in the chess tournament at Esports World Cup 2025 on Thursday, but the 21-year-old Grandmaster from Warangal can still earn a mega prize of $145,000 (approximately Rs 1.26 crore). Erigaisi will be competing against the world No.2 Hikaru Nakamura in the third-place playoff on Friday.
Nakamura lost to world No.1 Magnus Carlsen in a high-stakes semi-final in which the five-time world champion was also seen asking the supporters to shut their mouths as they cheered his defeat in one of the games.
Erigaisi eyes mega Rs 1.26 crore prize money
One of the best players in faster formats, Erigaisi suffered a semi-final defeat to French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja 4-1 in Riyadh. In a best-of-six tie, chess prodigy Firouzja won the first, third and fifth games to storm into the final, and set up a summit clash against Carlsen.
“Yeah, he played really well,” Erigaisi told Take Take Take, analysing his defat. “And I also missed some of my opportunities. Although this match didn’t go well, I am really happy with the tournament. The tournament is really good.
“I definitely wouldn’t want to go home on this painful note, so I’m happy there’s a third-place match.”
Earlier in the day, Erigaisi had beaten Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi 2.5-1.5 in the quarter-finals .
Even if he loses to Nakamura, Erigaisi is guaranteed to take home at least $115,000 (approximately Rs 1 crore).
India’s Nihal Sarin loses to Carlsen
Meanwhile, India’s Nihal Sarin bagged $85,000 (approximately Rs 74 lakh) by reaching the quarter-finals, where he lost to Carlsen.
“I’m just very happy to play against Magnus; he’s my biggest inspiration. It’s my first time getting to play him in a match,” an excited Sarin said despite losing to Carlsen.
The final between Carlsen and Firouzja will also be played on Friday. The winner of the first-ever chess final at an Esports World Cup will be handed a whopping prize money of $25,00,000 (approximately Rs 2.17 crore).