India's representation at the FIDE World Cup narrowed to a single competitor after GM P Harikrishna fell to GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara during a fifth-round tiebreaker. Second seed GM Arjun Erigaisi remains as the nation's sole contender following his victory over two-time champion GM Levon Aronian in their classical games.
Harikrishna's elimination came after both players drew their classical matches and two rapid games with 15-minute controls. Martinez secured victory in the 10-minute rapid format, converting a rook-pawn endgame after 59 moves despite Harikrishna's preparation advantages. The Indian grandmaster managed only a draw in the subsequent must-win situation.
Erigaisi will face Chinese GM Wei Yi in the quarterfinals. Other advancing competitors include GM Sam Shankland, who defeated former world rapid champion GM Daniil Dubov; GM Andrey Esipenko, who overcame GM Aleksey Grebnev; and Germany's GM Alexander Donchenko, who eliminated Vietnam's GM Le Quang Liem.
Harikrishna's elimination came after both players drew their classical matches and two rapid games with 15-minute controls. Martinez secured victory in the 10-minute rapid format, converting a rook-pawn endgame after 59 moves despite Harikrishna's preparation advantages. The Indian grandmaster managed only a draw in the subsequent must-win situation.
Erigaisi will face Chinese GM Wei Yi in the quarterfinals. Other advancing competitors include GM Sam Shankland, who defeated former world rapid champion GM Daniil Dubov; GM Andrey Esipenko, who overcame GM Aleksey Grebnev; and Germany's GM Alexander Donchenko, who eliminated Vietnam's GM Le Quang Liem.
