Arjun Erigaisi unlocks historic feat after stellar run in World Rapid and Blitz Championships

Indian chess star Arjun Erigaisi has unlocked a new feat after his stellar performance in the recent World Rapid and Blitz Championships, joining an elite list of players who are among the top-10 in each of the three formats. By winning bronze in the rapid as well as blitz sections of the prestigious event that took place in Doha from 26 to 31 December, Arjun became only the fourth player to enter the top-10 across formats in the current rankings.

Arjun joins Carlsen, Hikaru and Alireza in elite list

Arjun currently is fifth in the Classical format and third and seventh in Rapid and Blitz respectively in the latest FIDE ratings. What’s worth noting is that the 22-year-old Grandmaster’s also the highest-rated Indian in each format, and the only Indian among the top-10 in Rapid and Blitz.

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The legendary Magnus Carlsen, who had completed a golden sweep at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships earlier this week, is the top-ranked player in all three formats, while American GM Hikaru Nakamura is the only other player to be ranked among the top-five across formats – occupying the second spot in Classical and Blitz and fifth in Rapid.

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Alireza Firouzja completes the quartet, the Iranian-French GM ranked seventh in the Classical rating and second and third in Rapid and Blitz respectively.

R Praggnanandhaa, meanwhile, dropped to No 8 in the latest Classical ratings while reigning world champion D Gukesh – who will be defending his title later this year – moved to ninth. Nihal Sarin, meanwhile, moved to the 25th spot after winning the fourth edition of the President’s Cup in Tashkent last month.

India currently boasts of six GMs in the Classical top-30, with the legendary Viswanathan Anand currently occupying the 13th spot and Vidit Gujrathi 29th. The country also boasts of four players in the women’s top-20 with veteran GM Koneru Humpy still the top Indian at fifth.