RIYADH, Aug 14: Indian chess stars Nihal Sarin and Arjun Erigaisi advanced to the quarterfinals of the Chess competition at the Esports World Cup 2026, strengthening India’s presence in the tournament in Riyadh.
Nihal produced a strong run through the lower bracket, defeating China’s Wei Yi before overcoming Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland to secure his place in the last eight.
Arjun also progressed after overcoming fellow Indian player Pranesh M, ensuring that two Indian grandmasters remained in contention for the title.
The tournament has brought together several leading chess players in a competitive format as the traditional board game continues to expand its presence within the global esports ecosystem.
For Nihal and Arjun, reaching the quarterfinal stage represents another significant achievement on the international stage. Their progress has also highlighted the depth of India’s current chess talent.
Both players will now face stronger opposition in the knockout rounds, where a single mistake could end their campaign. Their performances will be closely followed by Indian chess fans as they attempt to advance further in the competition.
The success comes at a time when Indian chess continues to attract global attention, with the country’s young grandmasters increasingly competing against the world’s elite across major international events.