News DeskWarangal, India – Arjun Erigaisi, the 21-year-old chess prodigy from Warangal, has reached a career-best ranking, ascending to World No. 4 in the FIDE world ratings in June 2024 after defeating France’s Loic Travadon in the French Team Chess Championship. With the Chess Olympiad commencing in Budapest this month and the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League starting in London on October 3rd, Arjun is gearing up for a busy and thrilling chess season.
“Starting with the Olympiad, I have a long trip coming up, so I am not preparing specifically for any of these events, but I am going about the general preparation that I usually do,” said a modest Arjun. He will represent the Ganges Grandmasters in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League Season 2, joining forces with legendary Vishwanathan Anand as the Icon player, alongside Superstar men players Arjun and Parham Maghsoodloo, Superstar women players Vaishali R and Nurgyul Salimova, and Prodigy player Volodar Murzin.
Reflecting on his journey, Arjun expressed his delight at playing alongside chess legends. “Last year, I was on the same team as Magnus Carlsen, and now I am on the same team as Vishy Anand, sir. I remember following the 2013 World Championship Match as a fan, and after 10-11 years, I got the chance to be in the same teams as them. It’s a big delight,” he shared.
Arjun also spoke about his experience in the inaugural season of the Global Chess League held in Dubai. “Season one was a thriller for me. I am very excited and motivated for the second season and hope to perform well this time.” He drew parallels with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and its transformative impact on cricket. “It’s definitely a great thing that we now have Global Chess League in the chess circuit. I really hope it makes a big impact in the chess world like IPL did to cricket.”
He emphasized the uniqueness of the Global Chess League, noting the limited number of team chess tournaments. “There are a limited number of team chess tournaments, but I love it whenever I get a chance to participate in a team event. This is a bit different from other team events like the Olympiad or World Teams because you wouldn’t know most of your teammates in person, so it presents a unique opportunity to bond with new minds,” he added.
As the Global Chess League moves to London this year, excitement is palpable among the chess community. Arjun, who has never visited Britain’s capital, looks forward to exploring the city. “It will be my first visit to London. Hopefully, I will find the time to visit the London Eye, and on the board, I look forward to getting some nice wins. As a team, the goal is to win it all, and my aim is to be at my absolute best during the event,” he concluded.
With a promising season ahead, all eyes are on Arjun Erigaisi as he continues to make significant strides in the world of chess.
