PANAJI(Goa) : Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi (2773) kept India’s flag flying high as he held Chinese Grandmaster Wei Yi (2754) to a solid draw in 31 moves in the first classical quarter-final game of the $2 million FIDE World Cup at Hotel Resort Rio, Goa, on Monday, as per a release from FIDE.

A place in the newly christened Viswanathan Anand Cup final and a coveted spot in the Candidates 2026, scheduled for March in Cyprus, await the winner of this prestigious event.

It goes to the credit of the Andhra boy from Warangal that he drew his game against the dangerous Chinese GM Wei Yi without breaking a sweat. The TATA Steel 2024 champion took the opening battle into a Ruy Lopez Closed system, a position that held no demons for the Indian.

Showing excellent preparation, GM Arjun Erigaisi maint

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