Levon Aronian defeated Vladislav Artemiev 2-1 and Andrey Esipenko beat Ian Nepomniachtchi 1-0 in the Esports World Cup 2025 Group A upper bracket initial matches. Both winners advance to the Group A upper bracket winners match scheduled for July 29 at 7:20 PM, while Artemiev and Nepomniachtchi drop to lower bracket elimination matches.

Aronian recently won the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas and qualified through the Last Chance Qualifier, while Esipenko joined main stage replacing Vladimir Fedoseev.

The Esports World Cup 2025 Group stage is played in GSL format with upper and lower brackets determining the two players who advance to quarterfinals. The tournament uses 10+0 rapid time control with a $1.5 million total prize pool. Winners of Group A upper bracket matches need one more victory to secure quarterfinal spots.