Esports World Cup: Arjun Erigaisi beats compatriot Nihal Sarin, loses in semis
Indian chess players Nihal Sarin and Arjun Erigaisi faced off in the Esports World Cup 2026, held in Paris. Sarin, known for his calm demeanor and experience, was ranked higher than his compatriot Arjun. The two played in Group Stage A, with Sarin drawing Nihal in the opening round. Despite his reputation, Arjun emerged victorious, defeating Nihal in two rapid matches.
However, Arjun's success was short-lived, as he lost in the semifinals to another Indian player, Alireza Firouzja. Sarin and another Indian, Pranesh M, also faced early exits from the tournament. While Sarin acknowledged his defeat to Arjun, he expressed frustration with his opening play. Arjun, known for his strong opening preparation, attributed his win to the pressure Nihal put on him.
The unique 10+0 format of the tournament offered a second chance to Sarin and his losing peers, allowing them to continue competing through a series of must-win matches.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
