Magnus Carlsen dubbed him a ‘madman’ on the chessboard, while Nihal Sarin notes that he always attacks, even when playing with black pieces.
The man they are referring to is Arjun Erigaisi, currently the top-ranked chess player in India.
Speaking to The Bridge, Arjun, fresh off India’s Olympiad triumph, is brimming with excitement as he gears up to play for Ganges Grandmasters in the upcoming Global Chess League.
“I’m super excited. Last year, I teamed up with Magnus Carlsen, and now it’s Anand Sir,” says a beaming Arjun.
“I watched their 2013 match on TV, and playing alongside both feels surreal.”
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Destined for chess
Arjun’s foray to the world of sport began when his teachers noticed his strong memory and math skills and suggested that he try the game.
“I’ve always had a strong memory. When I was young, my mother bought a flag book, and I memorized the flags and multiplication tables, which led me to chess,” he recalls.
Although Arjun started playing chess in school, he only found his calling in 2021.
“I decided to be a professional chess player in 2021 and haven’t looked back since.”
With his mind made up, Arjun is now always on the offensive. That said, he does admit that he wasn’t always an attacking player but developed this skill with the help of his trainer Srinath Narayanan.
“He pointed out that I was lacking in aggression, so I worked on it, and now it’s become a strength,” Arjun explains.
A memorable Olympiad
Arjun delivered a standout performance in the Chess Olympiad, scoring 10 points from 11 games, helping India dominate the tournament.
His impressive performance led him to an ELO rating of 2968 in rapid chess which is the third-highest in a single Olympiad since 1972.
One of the notable decisions at the Olympiad was Arjun playing on board three, despite being higher-ranked.
“Our captain Srinath suggested it. He reasoned that I had been facing opponents similar to those on board three, while Gukesh was used to board one. We all agreed, and it worked out well,” Arjun explains.
India’s eight-match winning streak in the Olympiad was briefly interrupted by Uzbekistan in round nine, but Arjun and his teammates remained unflustered.
“We missed a win in that match because I had a clear chance. It was slightly disappointing, but with a two-point lead, we weren’t too concerned,” Arjun recalls
“We knew the next match against the United States would be crucial, so we focused on that.”
India’s match against the United States was challenging, as they were the only team with all players rated above 2700.
“It was a closely contested match, but we managed to win a tight game,” Arjun adds.
Arjun also expressed admiration for the Indian women’s team.
“We were rooting for them. They made a strong recovery toward the end and took home the gold. It was truly impressive,” he says.
Form and areas of improvement
In a sport like cricket, where a batter’s form can often be gauged by how well they time the ball, Arjun explains how form is vital for chess as well.
“In chess, form can be assessed through sharpness and confidence,” Arjun explains.
“When you’re in great form, you make quick decisions. When you’re not, you might miss basic tactics.”
To regain form after a setback, he emphasizes the value of winning.
“A win gives confidence and brings your mojo back. You just have to keep trying for that breakthrough.”
Despite his excellent form, Arjun acknowledges areas for improvement in his game.
“I tend to play too fast sometimes, which can be a weakness, and I get a bit careless when I’m winning, which allows for counterplay.”
This is why, Arjun holds Magnus Carlsen in high regard for his exceptional skills and techniques.
“I would borrow his skill and technique any day because I think he is the best, especially with his endgame skills,” Arjun adds.
In his free time, Arjun enjoys watching Tollywood and Bollywood films, with Jr. NTR being his favorite actor.
He even expressed a desire for Jr. NTR to portray him in a biopic.
Way forward
Looking ahead, Arjun is thrilled to play for the Ganges Grandmasters alongside Anand in the Global Chess League.
Having interacted with Vaishali Rameshbabu during the Olympiad, he now looks forward to getting to know the other team members.
“With only one rapid game per day, there will be plenty of time to connect. It’s going to be intense and relaxed at the same time,” he says.
Arjun is excited about the future of the Global Chess League and believes it will help popularize the sport.
“It’s definitely in the right direction. I hope more events like this will happen,” he adds.
In closing, Arjun offers two words of advice for aspiring young chess players.
“Enjoy and have fun because that’s the most crucial aspect, not only in chess but in any sport.”