Who is Arjun Erigaisi? Meet India¡¯s rising chess grandmaster
Learn about Arjun Erigaisi, a chess grandmaster from India renowned for his incisive strategies and noteworthy accomplishments. Find out about his background, achievements, and prospects in international chess.

Who is Arjun Erigaisi?: Arjun Erigaisi, one of India's most promising chess grandmasters, is causing a stir in chess with his astute strategies and daring play. Born in 2003, he quickly demonstrated his exceptional potential by becoming India's 54th Grandmaster at 14. Since then, his quick ascent in the rankings and wins over some of the top players in the game have continuously astonished chess fans worldwide.
Arjun, who has won numerous international competitions, including the esteemed Tata Steel Chess India event, is well-known for his aggressive and perceptive approach. His reputation as a potential world champion challenger stems from his ability to remain composed under duress and make audacious decisions.
This post will discuss Arjun Erigaisi's background, noteworthy accomplishments, and what makes him a fascinating chess prodigy. To find out more about this up-and-coming Indian chess sensation, stay tuned!
Who is Arjun Erigaisi?
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On September 3, 2003, Arjun Erigaisi was born in Warangal, Telangana, India. He had a strong interest in chess from an early age and soon discovered that he had a natural ability for it. He began playing competitively early, encouraged by his parents, and refined his talents through intense practice and tournament participation.
Arjun's journey was influenced by various mentors and self-learning, unlike many chess prodigies who initially trained under a single instructor. He stood out immediately due to his in-depth knowledge of the game and versatility in playing styles. Arjun Erigaisi is well-known for his aggressive style of play and quick ascent in the chess world.
Since then, Arjun's performances in national and international competitions have continuously impressed. He became well-known after winning the Tata Steel Chess India 2022 and achieving impressive results in top tournaments. He is one of India's most promising young players because of his ability to play both the classical and rapid formats easily.
Arjun has also defeated some of the best grandmasters in the world and represented India in important team competitions like the Chess Olympiad. He is seen as a potential world championship candidate due to his keen tactical awareness and consistent progress. India is proud internationally as he keeps moving up the chess rankings.
Arjun Erigaisi family
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Arjun Erigaisi was raised in a family that valued education and supported him. He is blessed to have parents and a sister Keerthana. Early on, his parents, Erigaisi Srinivas Raju and Erigaisi Padma saw his aptitude for chess and urged him to take it seriously.
Even though he didn't have any chess experience, his family was very important to his path since they ensured he got the proper instruction and chances to play at a higher level.
They gave him the tools and encouragement to hone his abilities and compete in regional and global competitions. Arjun has always attributed his success in the chess arena to his family's constant support. His quick ascent to prominence as one of India's best grandmasters was made possible by their faith in his abilities.
Arjun Erigaisi education
Arjun Erigaisi left college to focus on chess full-time while attending the BS Chess Academy in Hanamkonda. Before choosing to leave college during the first year to concentrate on his chess career, he studied data science until December 2021.
Data science was studied until December 2021. He left college to concentrate on chess. Finished education in Warangal, Telangana.
Arjun Erigaisi career
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Among his many accomplishments throughout his career is his 2022 Indian National Championship victory. Arjun trained at the BS Chess Academy in Hanumakonda and demonstrated remarkable chess skills from a young age.
Winning a silver medal at the Asian Youth Championship in Korea in 2015 marked the beginning of his ascent in chess. He was Telangana state's first Grandmaster in 2018. Arjun kept up his impressive play in international competitions, winning the fast and blitz divisions of the Tata Steel India Chess Tournament and earning a spot on the 2021 Goldmoney Asian fast of the Champions Chess Tour.
Credit: Instagram
By winning the Tata Steel Chess Challengers in 2022 and earning a spot in the master's division of the esteemed competition, Arjun cemented his place among the top chess players in the world. In addition, he won the esteemed Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival and was crowned the Indian National Champion.
With wins at the Menorca Open and the Stepan Avagyan Memorial, he extended his winning run into 2024 and momentarily cracked the top five in the live world rankings. In October 2024, Arjun defeated Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in an armageddon tiebreak to win the 2024 WR Chess Masters Cup in London.
Arjun Erigaisi net worth
According to The Sports Tribune, Arjun Erigaisi's estimated net worth is between 10 and 12 crores, which he has amassed chiefly through sponsorships, endorsements, and prizes at chess tournaments.
His success in competitive chess, where his income fluctuates depending on his participation in prestigious events, is reflected in his financial progress. He received ?18 lakh in 2024 after winning the WR Chess Masters Cup.
Arjun Erigaisi achievements
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- He qualified for the 2023 Tata Steel Masters after winning the 2022 Tata Steel Chess Challengers.
- Winning a silver medal at the 2022 Chess Olympiad and contributing significantly to India's team triumph.
- The 2024 WR Chess Masters Cup champion defeated Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the championship match.
- Made history by becoming the seventh Indian player to surpass the 2700 Elo Rating.
- Being the only player to win his first six Open Section rounds and scoring 10 points in 11 rounds, he won the gold medal at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.
- He proved his supremacy on the national front by winning the Indian National Chess Championship in 2022.
- Arjun Erigaisi is ranked among the top players in the world as of 2024, with a FIDE rating of 2796. He now ranks third in the world rankings thanks to his outstanding play, joining Viswanathan Anand, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Gukesh D. as one of India's leading chess grandmasters.
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