Arjun Erigaisi qualifies for Esports World Cup 2025
Indian Grand Master Arjun Erigaisi on Tuesday became the first Indian chess player to qualify for the Esports World Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia later this year.
The 21-year-old secured a passage by finishing in the top 12 of the Champions Chess Tour (CCT).
Erigiasi advanced to the Playoffs of the 2025 Chess.com Classic, a Champions Chess Tour (CCT) event, which got him the required points to secure a spot in the top 12. He had won 40 points when he managed a semifinals finish at the Chessable Masters event earlier this year.
The Indian eventually bowed out after losing to Ian Nepomniachtchi in Armageddon. The other Indian in action, R. Praggananandhaa also lost his first round Playoffs tie to Ding Liren.
World champion D. Gukesh was invited directly to the Playoffs and lost to Vladamir Fedoseev.
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