The remarkable run of Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin at the Esports World Cup 2025 has come to an end after a hard-fought quarterfinal battle against chess legend Magnus Carlsen. The S8UL Esports representative was eliminated with a 2.5-0.5 scoreline, bringing his impressive comeback story to a close in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 21-year-old chess prodigy’s journey at EWC 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary. After suffering a crushing 0-2 defeat to fellow Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi on Day 1, many would have written off his chances. However, Sarin showcased the resilience that has made him a standout talent in the chess world.
S8UL’s Nihal Sarin Journey in Chess Quarterfinals at Esports World Cup 2025
Sarin’s path to redemption began with a stunning 2-0 victory over Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri in the lower bracket semifinal. The match became instantly viral when Giri, frustrated by his defeat, slammed his mouse in a moment that reminded many of similar emotional outbursts from top players.
Following his triumph over Giri, Sarin faced another formidable opponent in French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Despite finding himself in a difficult position during the first game, the S8UL star demonstrated exceptional positional awareness to salvage a draw before sealing the match 1.5-0.5 with a decisive second game victory.
The quarterfinal clash with five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen represented the ultimate test for Sarin. Despite his best efforts and the momentum from his lower bracket victories, the Norwegian chess icon proved too strong, eliminating the young Indian talent from the prestigious tournament.
While his EWC 2025 journey has ended, Sarin’s performance has further solidified his reputation as one of India’s most promising chess talents. The tournament, boasting a massive $1.5 million prize pool, continues without the S8UL representative, but his fighting spirit and remarkable comeback remain one of the event’s defining stories.
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