Arjun Erigaisi Makes History as First Indian Chess Player to Qualify for the 2025 Esports World Cup!

Indian Grand Master Arjun Erigaisi has made history by becoming the first Indian chess player to qualify for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His spot in the upcoming tournament was secured during the second leg of the Champions Chess Tour (CCT).

In a pool of 118 competitors, Arjun finished fourth in the Play-in Swiss stage, scoring 7.0 out of 9. He selected Daniil Dubov as his opponent in the decisive Match Play round and showcased his skills by defeating him twice, once with white pieces and once with black.

While Arjun shines, other renowned players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura also secured their places in the EWC. However, Arjun stands out as the only Indian in the main event so far.

Social media has been buzzing with excitement about his achievement. Fans and fellow players celebrated his success on platforms like Twitter, showcasing pride in his historic qualification. "Congratulations to GM Arjun Erigaisi on qualifying for the 2025 E-W Sports World Cup!" read one tweet from Chess.com India.

So, how did Arjun reach this impressive milestone? He earned essential points in the overall leaderboard by reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 Chessable Masters and by qualifying in the knockout stage of the Chess.com Classic. These accomplishments helped him remain in the top ranks.

The Esports World Cup will feature the world’s largest esports organizations battling it out across 24 popular games, marking the first time chess will be included. The inaugural event in 2024 laid the groundwork for this expanded format, allowing chess to gain more visibility in the esports arena.

The Champions Chess Tour, launched in 2020 and initially known as the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour, is pivotal in this journey. It has evolved over the years to create pathways for players to qualify for the EWC, ensuring a competitive landscape that blends traditional chess with modern gaming trends.

Overall, Arjun’s journey highlights how traditional sports, like chess, are carving out a niche in the vibrant world of esports. As the lines blur between different types of competition, it’s exciting to see where both chess and esports will go next.

For more information about the Esports World Cup, you can check out resources from reputable sites like Esports Insider or The Esports Observer.

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