Arjun Erigaisi joins Viswanathan Anand in Elite 2800 Elo Club
Xtra Time Web Desk: Arjun Erigaisi has become a prominent force in international chess with his remarkable skill and rapid ascent. Born in 2003, he has quickly risen to global recognition, with recent performances underscoring his commitment to excellence and growth.
In a historic moment for Indian chess, Arjun played a key role in India’s Chess Olympiad victory in Budapest, Hungary. Competing on the third board, he delivered an outstanding score with nine wins and two draws across 11 rounds, contributing significantly to the team’s triumph. His exceptional play earned him a performance rating of 2968 Elo and boosted his live rating to 2797.2, propelling him to a career-high world ranking of No. 3, even surpassing Fabiano Caruana.
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Arjun’s style has evolved from a solid positional base to a more adaptable, versatile approach. His precise calculations and a broadened opening repertoire have strengthened his gameplay, allowing him to tackle a wide range of positions effectively.
A historic moment in Indian Chess. Arjun Erigaisi is the 2nd player in India and the 16th player in the World to cross 2800 in live ratings! Arjun has a live rating of 2802.1 now.
— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) October 24, 2024
Arjun defeated Dmitry Andreikin (2729) with the White pieces in the 5th round of the European Chess… pic.twitter.com/hz2wURGT7e
Arjun’s chess journey began early, achieving his International Master title in 2017 and becoming a Grandmaster the following year at just 14. Early in his career, he remained around the 2500 Elo range before a significant leap in 2021, reaching 2600 and showcasing his prowess in various formats. He made an impression in events like the Tata Steel India Rapid and Tata Steel Blitz, where he finished as a close second.
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The year 2022 marked a turning point. He began as a top-10 junior outside the world’s top 100 and ended as a super grandmaster, making an unprecedented leap in rankings. His victory at the 2022 Tata Steel Challengers and subsequent triumph as India’s chess champion solidified his reputation. In June, he won the Junior Speed Chess Championship, breaking Nihal Sarin’s two-year winning streak. His achievements caught the eye of Magnus Carlsen, who praised Arjun and anticipated his breakthrough into the 2700 club.
