Panaji (Goa): Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi (2773) stored India’s flag flying excessive as he held Chinese language Grandmaster Wei Yi (2754) to a stable attract 31 strikes within the first classical quarterfinal recreation of the $2 million FIDE World Cup 2026 at Lodge Resort Rio, Goa, on Monday. A spot within the newly christened Viswanathan Anand Cup ultimate and a coveted spot within the Candidates 2026, scheduled for March in Cyprus, await the winner of this prestigious occasion. It goes to the credit score of the Andhra boy from Warangal that he drew his recreation towards the damaging Chinese language GM Wei Yi with out breaking a sweat. The TATA Metal 2024 champion took the opening battle right into a Ruy Lopez Closed system, a place that held no demons for the Indian. Displaying glorious preparation, GM Arjun Erigaisi maintained a time benefit all through. By transfer 27, the sport had simplified right into a drawn rook-and-pawn ending, and the gamers agreed to a draw by threefold repetition after crossing the 30-move threshold.

Outcomes (Quarterfinal Recreation 1):

Wei Yi drew with Arjun Erigaisi 0.5-0.5

Sam Shankland drew with Andrey Esipenko 0.5-0.5

Sindarov Javokhir drew with Martinez Alcantara Jose Eduardo 0.5-0.5

Yakubboev Nodirbek beat Donchenko Alexander 1-0.