Overview
- After two classical draws, Arjun Erigaisi escaped a lost first rapid as Black but lost the second in 79 moves, giving Wei Yi a 2.5–1.5 quarterfinal victory.
- India’s World Cup run ends with Erigaisi’s exit, closing the tournament’s route to the Candidates for any additional Indian player.
- The semifinals are set: Wei Yi plays Andrey Esipenko, and Nodirbek Yakubboev faces Javokhir Sindarov.
- Esipenko advanced by defeating Sam Shankland in a second tiebreak set, Sindarov edged Jose Martinez in tiebreaks, and Yakubboev qualified by beating Alexander Donchenko in classical play.
- Three first-time Candidates will emerge from this quartet, with the third-place match deciding the final qualifying spot.