India’s Arjun Erigaisi delivered a commanding performance to secure his place in the semifinals of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025, defeating Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
Erigaisi drew the first game and clinched the second with white pieces, showcasing strategic precision and composure.
Meanwhile, fellow Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa faced a heartbreaking exit after a marathon battle against the USA’s Fabiano Caruana. The quarterfinal clash saw both players trading wins across classical, rapid, and blitz formats, culminating in the tournament’s first Armageddon game. Caruana, bidding for black pieces, sealed the victory in dramatic fashion.
Erigaisi will now face Levon Aronian in the semifinals, who overcame Hikaru Nakamura in a tense tiebreak. In the lower bracket, Magnus Carlsen defeated Vidit Gujrathi and is set to meet Praggnanandhaa in the Intermediate Matches Stage 1.
The Freestyle Chess format continues to challenge conventional play, offering fans high-stakes drama and tactical brilliance. With Erigaisi’s steady rise and Praggnanandhaa’s resilient spirit, Indian chess remains firmly in the global spotlight.
