Praggnanandhaa tied for the first spot on 4.5 points out of a possible seven in his group with Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sandarov, along with Aronian, finishing on four points.

Carlsen ended fifth ahead of Vincent Keymer of Germany, Wesley So and lone woman participant Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan.

In the second group christened black, Hikaru Nakamura topped the standings with an astonishing 6/7 with his American country-man Hans Niemann finishing second on 4.5 points.

Erigaisi finished tied third on four points with another local star Fabiano Caruana.

Another American trio of Leinier Dominguez Perez, Sevian Samuel and Robson Ray finished 5-7 in the second group with Indian Vidit Gujrathi ending on the last spot.

In the Quarterfinals now, Praggnannadhaa will meet Fabiano Caruana of United States while Erigaisi will have to tackle Abdusattorov.

Results qualifiers group white: 1-3: R Praggnanandhaa (Ind); Abdusattorov Nodirbek (Uzb) Javokhir Sandarov (Uzb) 4.5 each; 4-5: Levon Aronian (Usa) Magnus Carlsen (Nor) 4 each; 6-7: Vincent Keymer (Ger), Wesley So (Usa) 3 each; 8.Bibisara Assaubuyeva (Kaz, 0.5).

Group black: 1.Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 6); 2.Hans Moke Niemann (Usa, 4.5); 3-4.Arjun Erigaisi (Ind), Fabiano Caruana (Usa) 4 each; 5.Leinier Dominguez Perez (Usa, 3) 6-7: Sevian Samual (Usa), Robron Ray (Usa) 2.5 each; 8.Vidit Gujrathi (Ind, 1.5).

Pairings quarterfinals: Praggnanandhaa vs Caruana; Abdusattorov vs Arjun; Aronian vs Nakamura; Niemann vs Sindarov.

Lower bracket: Carlsen vs Gujrathi; Robson vs Keymer; Dominguez vs Assaubayeva; Samuel vs Wesley.