 "Arjun Erigaisi left heartbroken after quarterfinal exit from Chess World Cup")
Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi was left heartbroken following his defeat against China’s Wei Yi on Wednesday in the quarterfinal of the 2025 FIDE World Cup going on in Panaji, Goa. His loss ended India’s challenge in the tournament and could leave R Praggnanandhaa as the only Indian in next year’s Candidates.
Arjun and Yi had settled for draws in the two classical games before the duo met in the tiebreaker on Wednesday. The tiebreakers, played in the 15/10 rapid format, saw Arjun draw the first game with black despite being in a tough position. However, his late aggression in the second game saw Yi cash in as the Chinese checkmated his Indian opponent in 79 moves.
Arjun reacts to Chess World Cup exit
Arjun, the second seed for the tournament, was the only Indian remaining in the competition which saw 24 participants from the host country. After his loss, the GM took to X and posted a heartbreak emoji to express his disappointment.
đź’”
— Arjun Erigaisi (@ArjunErigaisi) November 19, 2025
Three of the four semifinalists in the competition would make it to next year’s Candidates and had Arjun clinched to his advantage on Tuesday, he could have sealed a semi-final spot without the need of a tie-breaker.
Arjun was in a better position in the second classical game of the quarter-finals but could not convert it into a victory and has taken an exit from the World Cup at the same stage at which he crashed out in the 2023 edition.
Yi showers praise on Arjun
“When you play a player like Arjun, you cannot think you are better. He is a top player and in every time control, he is very good,” said the Chinese GM after his win when asked about whether his higher rapid rating meant he was favourite going into the tiebreaker.
Yi also said that coming out of an “uncomfortable” position a day prior to the tiebreaks, helped him gain confidence.
“After yesterday If I had lost then there was no chance but today was like my new chance. So, (I thought) I’ll try my best,” Yi said.
Wei Yi checkmates and knocks out the World Cup favorite Arjun Erigaisi, whose Candidates and 2026 World Championship hopes are all but gone! https://t.co/pbzJifLoh2 pic.twitter.com/7Bm786ZOC9
— chess24 (@chess24com) November 19, 2025
Did yesterday’s result also affect Arjun?
“Maybe, he (Arjun) felt upset after yesterday,” Yi added.
However, after the close call a day before, the Chinese GM had the chance to win the first game of the tiebreaker but could not.
“I missed all the chances (of winning). I was upset,” he said reflecting on the first game. “But then I tried to adjust my mentality and in the second game, luckily, it worked.”
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