Arjun Erigaisi: Lesser-Known Facts Every Chess Fan Should Know

Arjun Erigaisi is a top Indian chess player born in 2003. He became a grandmaster at just 14, showing his talent at a very young age. Arjun reached a highest rating of 2801 and became world No. 3, entering the rare 2800+ club. He has won big events like the Tata Steel Challengers and Stepan Avagyan Memorial, earned Olympiad gold, two bronze medals at the 2025 World Rapid and Blitz, and even defeated chess legend Viswanathan Anand.

Arjun Erigaisi Tried Many Activities

Before he focused completely on chess, Arjun Erigaisi tried many different activities like swimming, skating, and dancing. Doing these hobbies helped him develop coordination, discipline, and focus from a young age.

These skills not only made him physically strong but also gave him mental sharpness, which later became very useful in his chess career.

Arjun Erigaisi Early Talent in Math

As a child, Arjun was very good at mathematics. One of his teachers noticed how well he could solve problems and suggested that he try playing chess. This advice sparked Arjun’s interest in the game.

His early skills in math and logical thinking helped him approach chess with a strong analytical mindset, which became a key part of his playing style.

Arjun Erigaisi’s Becoming a Grandmaster Quickly

In 2018, when Arjun was only 14 years old, he became a Grandmaster. This made him one of the youngest chess players from India to achieve this title. Reaching this milestone brought him into the spotlight and marked the start of his journey to compete with some of the best chess players in the world.

Arjun Erigaisi: The Bold Player

Arjun is famous for his daring and aggressive way of playing chess, which earned him the nickname “The Madman.” He often takes risks and makes sharp moves that surprise his opponents.

This fearless attitude in the game shows that he is confident and willing to challenge even the strongest players without hesitation.

Arjun Erigaisi Grabs Opportunities in Tournaments

In 2021, Arjun was not initially among the top players in a Kolkata chess tournament. However, when a player became unwell, he got a chance to compete and finished as the runner-up in the blitz event.

This showed that he can make the most of unexpected opportunities and perform very well even under pressure.

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