Arjun Erigaisi has made headlines by rising to the World No. 2 spot in the live chess rankings following his impressive performance at the Chennai Grand Masters 2024 tournament. The 21-year-old Indian prodigy achieved this milestone after defeating Alexey Sarana in the third round of the tournament.
Tournament Highlights
The Chennai Grand Masters 2024 features two categories: the Masters and Challengers. With a rating average of 2729, the Masters category presents a highly competitive field. Erigaisi, who started with the black pieces, responded to Sarana’s Queen’s Pawn Opening by engaging in the Indian Game before swiftly transitioning to an East Indian Defense. Both players cast their kings early in the game, leading to an intense battle. Erigaisi seized the upper hand and converted it into his second win of the tournament.
Arjun Erigaisi’s Career Milestones
Erigaisi’s victory propelled him to reclaim his 2800 ELO rating, surpassing Fabiano Caruana to take the second spot in the world rankings. This achievement is a testament to his consistent performance and tactical prowess. Erigaisi’s win also reinforced his lead at the top of the Masters category, which he jointly holds with Amin Tabatabaei after three rounds.
🇮🇳 Arjun Erigaisi (2805.8) becomes World #2 in the live rankings after defeating Sarana with Black in Round 3 of the Chennai Grandmasters https://t.co/5yIGhddUui
Now, only Magnus Carlsen ranks higher!
📸@adityasurroy21 via @ChessbaseIndia pic.twitter.com/07WJWIa3NM
— 2700chess (@2700chess) November 7, 2024
Erigaisi’s rise to the second spot in the world rankings is a significant milestone in his career. It highlights his potential to become one of the top players in the world. His performance at the Chennai Grand Masters 2024 has further cemented his reputation as a formidable competitor.
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