Archive · 17 Nov 2025
FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi Draws Quarterfinal, Yakubboev Secures Sole Win
The FIDE World Cup chess tournament is happening in Goa, India.
In the quarter-finals, Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi played a quick and accurate game against Chinese Grandmaster Wei Yi, resulting in a draw.
Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev won his game against German Grandmaster Alexander Donchenko.
Other top players also drew their matches.
The next games are important, especially for Arjun who will play with the white pieces in the second game.
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi drew his quarter-final Game 1 against Chinese Grandmaster Wei Yi in a quick 31-move draw.
Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev was the only player to achieve a win in the quarter-final Game 1, defeating German Grandmaster Alexander Donchenko in 44 moves.
Other quarter-final matches, including Sam Shankland vs. Andrey Esipenko and Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara vs. Sindarov Javokhir, also ended in draws.
The winner of the tournament will secure a place in the Viswanathan Anand Cup final and the Candidates 2026 tournament.
Arjun Erigaisi played with high accuracy and had more time on his clock than he started with.
- Who
- Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, Chinese Grandmaster Wei Yi, Grandmaster Sam Shankland, Grandmaster Andrey Esipenko, Grandmaster Sindarov Javokhir, Grandmaster Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara, Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev, and German Grandmaster Alexander Donchenko
- What
- Played the first classical quarter-final games of the FIDE World Cup 2025, with Arjun Erigaisi drawing his match and Nodirbek Yakubboev securing the only decisive result.
- When
- During the FIDE World Cup 2025
- Where
- Hotel Resort Rio in Goa, India
- Why
- To compete for a place in the Viswanathan Anand Cup final and the Candidates 2026 tournament.
- Tournament
- FIDE World Cup 2025
- Location
- Goa, India
- Prize
- $2 million
- Quarterfinal Game 1 Results
- Wei Yi drew with Arjun Erigaisi 0.5-0.5, Sam Shankland drew with Andrey Esipenko 0.5-0.5, Sindarov Javokhir drew with Martinez Alcantara Jose Eduardo 0.5-0.5, Nodirbek Yakubboev beat Alexander Donchenko 1-0
- Significance
- A place in the Viswanathan Anand Cup final and a spot in the Candidates 2026
Sources
Harikrishna knocked out in Round 5 by Jose Martinez, Arjun Erigaisi lone Indian in FIDE World Cup 2025
FIDE World Cup: Harikrishna goes down in round 5 tiebreak; India’s hope rests on Arjun Erigaisi
FIDE World Cup: Arjun lone warrior for India after Harikrishna falls
FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi carries India’s lone challenge after Harikrishna exits
FIDE World Cup: Harikrishna’s loss leaves Arjun Erigaisi as last Indian left standing, but he remains favourite for title
FIDE World Cup: Harikrishna goes down in round 5 tiebreak; India’s hope rests on Arjun Erigaisi
Done in 60 minutes: Arjun Erigaisi’s battle with Wei Yi in FIDE Chess World Cup quarterfinal ends in quick draw
Hikaru Nakamura gets 6 out of 8 predictions wrong, underlines the unpredictability of the Chess World Cup
After FIDE World Cup heartbreak, Nihal Sarin takes down Magnus Carlsen, Nakamura, Praggnanandhaa to win Bullet Brawl
FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi draws quarterfinal Game 1; Nodirbek Yakubboev scores sole win
