 "Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi is one of two Indians competing in the chess event at the Esports World Cup. Image credit: Freestyle Chess")
Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi kept the Indian flag flying high in Riyadh after advancing to the semi-finals of the Esports World Cup, where chess makes its debut this year. Erigaisi, who is representing the Gen.G Esports, topped Group B after defeating compatriot Nihal Sarin and French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2-0 and 2-1 respectively on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old would then setup a semi-final meeting with Alireza Firouzja, another French GM, after defeating Russian’s Ian Nepomniachtchi 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Also advancing to the last four besides Erigaisi and Firouzja were Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, ranked first and second in the world who defeated Sarin and Levon Aronian respectively.
Sarin bows out after quarter-final defeat against Carlsen
For Sarin, representing Indian Esports organisation S8UL at the event, it was the end of the road after a journey in which he was one of four players making it to the Esports World Cup via the Last Chance Qualifier along with Aronian, Anish Giri and Javokhir Sindarov, ahead of Indian No 1 R Praggnanandhaa.
Sarin, however, was delighted at the prospect of coming face-to-face with his “inspiration” Carlsen at the event for the first time in his career.
“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. I wish him good luck,” the 21-year-old was quoted by Take Take Take as saying after his quarter-final defeat at the hands of the world No 1.
While Erigaisi’s semi-final clash is currently underway, Team Liquid’s Carlsen will be squaring off against Nakamura, who’s part of Team Falcons along with Firouzja, later on the same day – with the final and the third-place playoff set to take place on Friday.
A total prize fund of $1.55 million has been set aside for the inaugural chess event at the Esports World Cup, of which $250,000 will be awarded to the winner and $190,000 for the runner-up.
By reaching the semi-finals, Erigaisi is assured of walking away with either $145,000 (Rs 1.26 crore) or $115,000 (Rs 1 crore) to his name, depending on whether he finishes third or fourth.
Sarin, meanwhile, will be taking home $85,000 (Rs 74.38 lakh) for making it to the quarter-finals.