Freestyle Chess Paris: World champion Gukesh knocked out, Arjun Erigaisi solely Indian to qualify for quarterfinals

The
round-robin stage of the Paris leg of the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour got here to an finish on Tuesday with loads of drama, heartbreak, and standout performances. Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh’s marketing campaign concluded on a disappointing word because the 18-year-old, who not too long ago claimed the World Championship title, didn’t make the quarterfinals, scoring solely 3.5 factors and ending eleventh.

Arjun Erigaisi emerged because the lone Indian to progress to the knockouts, ending strongly with 6.5 factors to e book his spot within the last eight. Former World Champion Magnus Carlsen was in superb type all through the round-robin stage, ending with 8.5 factors. He was joined on the summit by Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi, who additionally ended on 8.5 factors after back-to-back victories within the last two rounds.

Within the Spherical 11 matches, Erigaisi secured a victory over Vidit Gujrathi to seal qualification. In the meantime, Gukesh’s loss to Nepomniachtchi confirmed his early exit. R Praggnanandhaa shocked Nodirbek Abdusattorov however in useless as he too was knocked out early. Hikaru Nakamura saved his hopes alive by defeating Richard Rapport, whereas first leg winner Vincent Keymer’s beat Fabiano Caruana. Carlsen and native boy Maxime Vachier-Lagrave performed out a draw.

The quarterfinals will probably be held over two days on 9 and 10 April. The knockout stage will comply with a single-elimination format. Every match will probably be contested over two classical video games, with gamers alternating colors. Gamers ranked from first to fourth so as can decide amongst gamers ranked from fifth to eighth as their opponent within the quarterfinals.

Freestyle Chess 2025: Standings after finish of round-robin stage in Paris