Indian chess prodigy Arjun Erigaisi soared to the world no. 2 position in live ratings after a thrilling win over Alexey Sarana in the third round of the Chennai Grand Masters. The 21-year-old achieved a remarkable 2805.8 points, surpassing American grandmasters Fabiano Caruana (2805.0) and Hikaru Nakamura (2802.0). Now, only Magnus Carlsen remains above him with 2831.0 points, marking another historic milestone for Indian chess.
Arjun Erigaisi at Chennai Grand Masters
Arjun Erigaisi’s rise in the live ratings has captivated the chess world. At the ongoing Chennai Grand Masters, held in Tamil Nadu’s capital, he showcased exceptional skill in a decisive win over Sarana using the Nimzo-Indian Defense’s St Petersburg Variation.
The turning point came on Sarana’s 26th move, when a pawn push to h4 backfired, quickly eroding his advantage. In just 37 moves, Erigaisi sealed the game with a powerful pawn advance on the d-file, continuing his dominant form after a first-round win over compatriot Vidit Gujrathi.
Reflecting on Ratings: Arjun Erigaisi approach to success
Just last month, Arjun Erigaisi became the 16th player to reach the coveted 2800 rating mark. Despite fluctuating ratings keeping him from officially joining the 2800 club in the FIDE monthly list, his calm outlook stands out.
Competition in Chennai and Rising Indian Talent
Erigaisi now jointly leads the Masters category with Amin Tabatabaei, in a field boasting a strong rating average of 2729. India’s rising chess talent is making an impression worldwide, with fellow grandmaster Gukesh holding fifth in live rankings with 2783.0 points and soon to face Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship.
The Chennai Grand Masters has been eventful, with Vidit Gujrathi earning his first points after a draw with Indian GM Aravindh Chithambaram. Amin Tabatabaei stunned France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Levon Aronian claimed victory over Parham Maghsoodloo, underscoring the competitive energy of the tournament.
New Era for Indian Chess
As Arjun Erigaisi continues to break records, his achievements not only highlight his individual success but also mark a new chapter for Indian chess on the global stage. With a level-headed approach to ratings and an unstoppable momentum, Erigaisi’s journey is one to watch, inspiring a new generation of chess enthusiasts and confirming India’s growing prominence in the sport.
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