Grandmaster Arjun Erigiasi has made history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the Esports World Cup 2025. It’s a significant milestone for both him and the nation as he pioneers India’s entry to the prestigious tournament.
How Did Arjun Erigiasi Qualify For The EWC 2025?
Arjun Erigiasi’s journey to the Esports World Cup 2025 was marked by consistent efforts and results in the CCT circuit. He joined the leading Esports organisation Gen.G. in February and quickly made his mark by reaching the semi-finals of the Chessable Masters, the first major event of CCT, where he earned 40 points despite losing to world number 1 Magnus Carlsen.
He then advanced to the playoffs of the Chess.com Classic, the second event in the tour, ensuring his place among the top 12 players in the CCT leader board, an achievement that directly qualified him for the EWC 2025. Arjun’s consistent top finishes placed him in this elite group, ready to take the chess world by storm.
Will Other Indian Chess Prodigies Qualify?
While Arjun Erigiasi is the first Indian to qualify for the EWC 2025 in chess, he is not the only Indian in contention. Other top grandmasters like Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and Aravindh Chithambaram have also competed in the CCT events and continue to gain points. Notably, Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram are set to represent India’s leading organisation, S8UL, in EWC if they qualify. With the Last Chance Qualifier offering only four more spots, it is possible and even likely that these Indian players will join Arjun at the EWC 2025.
What Is The Esports World Cup 2025?
The Esports World Cup 2025 is set to be the largest multi-title esports event in history, hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will feature over 2,000 players competing across 25 different disciplines, including chess, DOTA 2, VALORANT, and much more. The total prize pool for the event is more than $70 million, with the chess tournament alone offering $1.5 million, featuring 16 of the world’s best players. The event will take place from 8 July to 24 August 2025.
Also Read: Top GMs Join Chess.com Classic To Qualify For The Esports World Cup 2025
