FIDE World Cup: Arjun loses to Wei Yi as Indian challenge ends

Panaji, Nov 19 (PTI) Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi was knocked out of the FIDE World Cup, losing to Wei Yi of China 1.5-2.5 in the first set of tiebreak games here on Wednesday.

It was a shocker for Arjun who ran out of luck in the rapid tiebreak games wherein the Chinese put pressure in the first game before eventually drawing while in the second Arjun just lost control and will have to go back home.

Having drawn both the games under Classical chess, Arjun was black in the first game of rapid and employed the French defense. It did not turn out to be a great choice however as Arjun was soon on the backfoot losing a rook for a minor piece.

Wei Yi had huge advantage according to the computers but Arjun posed stiff resistance in the quest of the Chinese despite being low on material. Eventually Wei Yi fumbled in the ensuing endgame and Arjun drew.

In the second rapid game the Indian did not have much luck despite playing with white pieces. We Yei got a tangible position in the middle game and had his light squared Bishop firmly posted on the sixth rank that eventually caused a lot of problems.

Arjun lost one pawn in the endgame and even though the complications remained, Wei Yi got the technicalities in his favour with some timely pawn advances. Arjun was finally checkmated.

Andrey Esipenko defeated Sam Shankland of United States 4-2 when the latter lost both the games in the second set of tiebreaker after trading a victory each in the first set.

In the other quarterfinal Javokhir Sindarov became the second Uzbek after Nodirbek Yakubboev defeating Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara 3.5-2.5. It finally boiled down ton battle of nerves and Sindarov was clearly the superior player.

In the Semifinals now Esipenko will take on Wei Yi while Yakubboev will meet Sindarov.

Arjun’s end of the road means that there can be only one Indian in the Candidates in R Praggnanandhaa who will likely make it to the premier event with his well-rounded performances throughout this year.

Results quarterfinals: Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzb) beat Alexander Donchenko (Ger) 1.5-0.5; Arjun Erigaisi (Ind) lost to Wei Yi (Chn) 1.5-2.5; Andrey Esipenko (Fid) beat Sam Shankland (Usa) 4-2; Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb) beat Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara 3.5-2.5. PTI COR BS BS