Sarin sole Indian to qualify for Esports World Cup by way of Final Likelihood Qualifier as Praggnanandhaa misses out

Nihal Sarin is ready to characteristic in chess’ debut on the Esports World Cup in Riyadh beginning Tuesday, being the only Indian to qualify through the Final Likelihood Qualifier that concluded on Sunday. Sarin superior to the principle occasion together with fellow Grandmasters Anish Giri, Javokhir Sindarov and Levon Aronian – who had gained the Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour just lately.

Sarin, nevertheless, isn’t the one Indian competing within the Esports world cup, with former Indian No 1 Arjun Erigaisi having confirmed his place straight by ending among the many top-12 on the finish of the Champions Chess Tour.

Sarin turns into first to advance from the Final Likelihood Qualifier

Sarin confirmed his place within the Esports World Cup with back-to-back victories within the Final Likelihood Qualifier Playoffs – defeating Dutch GM Giri 1.5-0.5 and Russian GM Andrey Esipenko 2.5-1.5 within the winner’s bracket, the place he faces Uzbekistani GM Sindarov within the ultimate.

Nihal Sarin will get to signal his key as a qualifier for the principle occasion whereas Anish Giri and others are nonetheless battling it out for the remaining 3 spots! #EsportsWorldCup pic.twitter.com/X90O7cA5Am

— chess24 (@chess24com) July 26, 2025

Giri and Aronian later needed to grind it out within the decrease bracket to verify their place within the Finals; becoming a member of the Losers Bracket in Spherical 2, Giri defeated Ahmed Adly 2-1 which was adopted by an Armageddon conquer present Indian No 1 R Praggnanandhaa (1.5-1.5) and Freestyle Chess Las Vegas runner-up Hans Niemann. Praggnanandhaa and Niemann had topped Group C and D respectively earlier.

Aronian, in the meantime, needed to defeat Yu Yangyi (1.5-0.5), Alexander Grischuk (2-0) and Esipenko (3-2) with a view to verify his place in the principle occasion. The veteran Armenian-American GM had earlier topped Group A, ending forward of Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi – who did not advance to the playoffs.

The motion, nevertheless, isn’t over within the playoffs, with Sarin set to face Sindarov and Aronian going up in opposition to Giri. The winners of the 2 matches face off within the Grand Ultimate of the Final Likelihood Qualifier.

Sarin can be representing Indian esports organisation S8UL on the World Cup whereas Arjun can be taking part in for Gen.G.