Who among the following became the first Indian chess player to qualify for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 through the second leg of the Champions Chess Tour?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Arjun Erigaisi.

Explanation:

• Arjun Erigaisi became the first Indian chess player to qualify for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025.

• He secured qualification by advancing to the playoffs of the Chess.com Classic 2025, the second leg of the Champions Chess Tour.

• His performance placed him among the top 12 players, guaranteeing an EWC berth.

• This achievement marks a major milestone for India in competitive hybrid chess–esports formats.

• His consistent form in classical and online events contributed to this success.

Information Booster:

• The Champions Chess Tour (CCT) is a major annual online chess circuit that acts as a qualifying pathway for the Esports World Cup.

• The EWC 2025 includes chess as one of its key competitive events, showcasing the merger of esports and traditional mind sports.

Additional Knowledge:

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (Option b)

• Competed in qualifiers but did not secure direct qualification through the CCT.

• Needed to attempt the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).

Bhubaneswar Kumar (Option c)

• No association with major chess or esports events in this context.

• Not mentioned in EWC or CCT qualifications.

Pentala Harikrishna (Option d)

• Participated in elite chess tournaments, including the FIDE World Cup.

• Did not qualify for the EWC through the CCT second leg.