Why Arjun Erigaisi Could Be India’s Next Candidate for the Chess Crown

Arjun Erigaisi is one of India’s most promising young grandmasters. At just 21 years old, he has already broken into the global elite, peaking at a 2801 FIDE rating in late 2024 – a feat no Indian has achieved since Viswanathan Anand. Known for his fearless attacking play, even World Champion Magnus Carlsen described him as **“madman of chess” , a compliment to Arjun’s audacious style.

In 2024, Arjun won multiple international events and helped India secure team and board gold at the Chess Olympiad. Analysts note that his games are full of surprises; as Anand observed, Arjun “generates tactics out of thin air”. These accomplishments have already made him a household name in the chess world.

Key Strengths of Arjun Erigaisi

Relentless Attacking Flair :

Arjun thrives in complex positions, often conjuring unexpected sacrifices and dazzling tactics.

Multi-Format Prowess :

Classical : Peaked at 2801 FIDE rating (First after Viswanathan Anand) and ranked #4 globally in 2024.

Rapid & Blitz : Won India’s 2021 Rapid Championship, placed second in Blitz, and has beaten Carlsen and Caruana online.

Elite-Level Consistency :

By 2024, Arjun had established himself as India’s No. 1 player, showcasing both reliability and brilliance.

Praise from Champions :

GM Daniel King hailed one of his games as a masterclass in aggression, while Anand praised his creative genius.

Rapid and Blitz Success

Arjun is equally formidable in fast formats, where his speed and creativity shine just as brightly as in classical play :

He has won several Chess.com Titled Tuesday events, taking down elite players like Magnus Carlsen , Fabiano Caruana , and even Hikaru Nakamura along the way.**

In July 2025, Arjun finished 4th at the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup in Riyadh, earning $115,000. He topped his group with wins over Nihal Sarin and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave , and defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi in the quarterfinals, before bowing out in the semifinals.**

These results cement Arjun as not only a classical powerhouse but also a fearsome contender in rapid and blitz, capable of outplaying the very best under pressure.

The 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss: Format and Stakes

This September, Arjun will compete in the FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Uzbekistan — an 11-round Swiss event featuring 116 of the world’s best players. The stakes couldn’t be higher:

The top two finishers qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the final gateway to the World Championship.

The prize fund stands at $625,000 for the open section.

Past champions include Vidit Gujrathi (2023) & Alireza Firouzja (2021) .

Arjun came T-3(joint 3rd) in the 2023 edition, just one step short of the Candidates. This time, he will aim to convert that near-miss into a historic breakthrough.

Underscoring how difficult it is to prevail. Every round will be high-stakes for Arjun, whose performance could win him one of those coveted “golden tickets” to the Candidates Tournament.

Conclusion

Arjun Erigaisi is already a rising star and a force in world chess. His aggressive style, combined with recent title wins and a super-elite rating, mark him as one of the most exciting talents today. With Magnus Carlsen calling him “madman” and Anand praising his creativity the respect surrounding Arjun is clear. Now all eyes will be on the Grand Swiss: if Arjun plays to his strengths, he very well might secure one of the two Candidates spots. Either way, his journey represents a bold new chapter for Indian chess.