Panaji (Goa): GM Arjun Erigaisi declined a draw offer from GM Levon Aronian before tightening his grip on the experienced opponent to secure victory with the black pieces, thus moving on to the quarterfinals of the FIDE World Cup 2025 on Saturday. P Harikrishna, however, must now participate in a tiebreak to progress. After drawing the opening game of Round 5 with white, Arjun trapped Aronian’s king in the h1 corner, leading the two-time World Cup winner to resign after the 38th move amid a triple attack involving a queen, bishop, and knight. “It was a tense middle game. I was unsure if I was in a better position.
However, once he played knight e3 and offered a draw, I felt confident I could win because he appeared content with a draw,” Arjun noted, being one of the two top-10 seeded players remaining in the tournament. He will face the winner of the match between GM Wei Yi of China and GM Samuel Sevian of the USA. Also advancing was GM Wei Yi, who defeated GM Samuel Sevian in 73 moves, along with GM Nodirbek Yakubboev from Uzbekistan overcoming GM Gabriel Sargissian of Armenia in 35 moves, and GM Sindarov Javokhir of Uzbekistan defeating GM Svane Frederik of Germany in 47 moves. Meanwhile, three matches, including Harikrishna’s, ended in tiebreaks.
Playing with white, Harikrishna attempted to make progress, but GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara maintained a solid defense, leading both players to agree to a draw after 35 moves. Indian results (Round 5, Game 2) GM Levon Aronian lost to GM Arjun Erigaisi (0.5:1.5 aggregate), GM P Harikrishna drew with GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara (1:1 aggregate).