Overview
- Arjun Erigaisi defeated two-time champion Levon Aronian 1.5–0.5, winning the second classical game with Black after declining a draw offer.
- Erigaisi will face China’s Wei Yi in the quarterfinals as the bracket moves into the last eight in Goa.
- P. Harikrishna was eliminated by Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara in Round 5 tiebreaks, losing in the 10+10 segment after two draws at 15+10.
- Quarterfinal pairings: Erigaisi vs Wei Yi, Sam Shankland vs Andrey Esipenko, Martinez vs Javokhir Sindarov, Alexander Donchenko vs Nodirbek Yakubboev.
- The knockout’s short classical matches and rapid playoffs have fueled notable upsets, and the top three finishers will qualify for the 2026 Candidates in Cyprus.