Arjun Erigaisi‘s remarkable achievement has left India in awe, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrating the young grandmaster’s success. At the European Club Cup, Arjun triumphed over GM Dmitry Andreikin, elevating his Elo rating to an impressive 2802.1, making him the World No. 3 in live chess rankings.
This milestone makes Arjun only the second Indian, following chess legend Viswanathan Anand, and the 16th player in history to cross the 2800-rating mark. The significance of this achievement resonated widely, prompting PM Modi to express his congratulations.
“Congratulations to Arjun Erigaisi for crossing the 2800 mark in live chess ratings! This is a phenomenal feat. His exceptional talent and perseverance make our entire nation proud,” Modi stated on his official X handle. He added that this milestone would inspire many young players to pursue chess and excel on the global stage.
Arjun’s recent form has been nothing short of extraordinary. He claimed both individual and team gold medals at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Additionally, he secured victory against France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in Armageddon to win the 2024 WR Chess Masters Cup, earning a cash prize of €20,000 and 27.84 FIDE Circuit points.
This historic accomplishment not only highlights Arjun’s talent but also marks a significant moment for Indian chess, inspiring future generations of players to strive for greatness.