Arjun Erigaisi Beats Nihal Sarin, Loses Esports World Cup Semifinal

Chess is a board game, but some people play it super fast in front of computers, like a video game sport called esports.

A big chess esports tournament called the Esports World Cup was happening in Paris, France.

Two friends and chess stars from India, Arjun and Nihal, had to play against each other.

Arjun won both games because he stayed calm and played very well while the clock ticked down.

Then Arjun had to play another very strong player named Alireza, and Alireza beat him in the semifinal.

Another Indian player named Pranesh also lost his game against a player from Uzbekistan.

But the tournament has a special rule that gives losers a second chance in something called the lower bracket.

So Arjun, Nihal, and Pranesh can still come back, but they must win every game from now on.

Earlier, Arjun and Nihal had already fought their way through the lower bracket just to reach the quarterfinals.

The player who keeps winning will be crowned the fast chess champion of the Esports World Cup.