Arjun, Aronian play out a hard fought draw at FIDE World Cup

The only other Indian left in the event, Harikrishna also drew his game versus Mexican Alcantara

- Shahid Judge

In the stoic world of chess, Arjun Erigaisi is a breath of fresh air.

At the highest level, where every loss can hit the ELO ratings hard, he is the most expressive player among the new generation of Indian stars. Expressive to the point that, at times, he tends to betray an almost unnoticeable glimpse of emotion. On Friday, he offered a bit more.

He sat in the grand hall of the venue in Goa, searching the 64 squares of the chess board for his next move. Searching for the slightest of openings in the hope of getting a win with white pieces on Day 1 of his fifth round match against Levon Aronian in the Chess World Cup.

Eventually, he rubbed his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. There was no masking the disappointment on his face. There was no opening to be found. The game ended ina draw.

Come Saturday, Aronian will have the white pieces and the opportunity to lead the game initially.

The only other Indian left in the tournament, Harikrishna Pentala, playing with black pieces, also drew his game against Mexican GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara. But all eyes were on the Erigaisi-Aronian contest.

Earlier in the tournament, during commentary with ChessBase India, world No.5 Anish Giri had asserted: “Arjun cannot play boring.”