# Arjun Erigaisi advances, Carlsen, Nakamura reach EWC chess playoffs

2026-08-12T15:26:07+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

On the opening day of the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris, Arjun Erigaisi defeated fellow Indian GM Nihal Sarin 2-0 to move into the upper-bracket playoffs. Defending champion Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov also advanced from the upper bracket. Carlsen beat Hans Niemann after a tough first match against Andrey Esipenko. Three Indian grandmasters remain in contention. Sarin and Pranesh M fell to the lower bracket after losses, while Arvindh Chidambaram was knocked out in the play-ins. Sarin faces Wei Yi, and Pranesh plays Benjamin Bok. A possible all-Indian lower-bracket decider could see Pranesh or Bok face Erigaisi. Playoffs begin August 14, with a $1.5 million (Rs 14.3 crore) prize pool.

## Coverage

- sportstar.thehindu.com <https://sportstar.thehindu.com/chess/esports-world-cup-2026-group-stage-arjun-erigaisi-nihal-sarin-magnus-carlsen/article71335466.ece>
- sportstar.thehindu.com <https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/esports-world-cup-2026-chess-carlsen-esipenko-abdusattorov-nihal-arjun-indians-action-results/article71338540.ece>

Tags: Arjun Erigaisi, Chess, Esports World Cup, Indian chess, Magnus Carlsen, Nihal Sarin
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