Arjun Erigaisi (born 3 September 2003 in Warangal, Telangana) is one of India’s most consistent young Grandmasters and a key member of the country’s new generation of top players. He became a Grandmaster in 2018 at the age of 14 years and 11 months, making him the first GM from Telangana and the 32nd from India.
Arjun began learning chess at BS Chess Academy in Hanamkonda, where his early coaches noticed that he had a calm and structured way of thinking. He preferred steady development over flashy attacks, and this approach shaped his long-term playing style. Until 2021, he studied at Shine Children’s Academy, after which he devoted himself fully to chess.
Early Growth and GM Title
Between 2015 and 2018, Arjun gained experience through national and Asian events. A silver medal at the 2015 Asian Youth Championship was an early sign of his potential. By 2018, he completed all the norms required for the Grandmaster title. His path to GM was steady rather than sudden, but it was built on consistent performances against experienced international players.
Rise in International Chess
Arjun’s major breakthrough came in 2021. His most impressive achievement that year was a silver medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship in Warsaw, where he finished ahead of several top-ranked professionals. He also performed well at the Tata Steel Chess India events in Kolkata and the Lindores Abbey Blitz in Riga. These tournaments exposed him to some of the strongest players in the world and helped him develop confidence at the elite level.
Key Achievements in 2022
The year 2022 marked significant growth in Arjun’s career, both in terms of results and rating. His win at the Tata Steel Chess Challengers event in Wijk aan Zee was a major highlight. He scored 10.5/13 in a field that included several experienced Grandmasters, finishing with a clear lead. This victory promoted him to the Tata Steel Masters event the following year, one of the toughest annual tournaments.
Another standout performance came at the Abu Dhabi Masters, where he scored 8.5/9 in a highly competitive field. His games in this event were noted for their accuracy and technical clarity. He also performed well at the Biel Chess Festival and the Asian Continental Championships. These consistent results allowed him to cross the 2700 Elo rating barrier, placing him among the “Super GMs.”
Progress in 2023–2024
In the years that followed, Arjun continued to take part in top tournaments across the world. He played in multiple editions of Tata Steel Chess India, the Julius Baer Generation Cup, the Stepan Avagyan Memorial, and several rapid and blitz championships. He also participated in the Global Chess League, where he competed against some of the world’s strongest classical and rapid specialists. Throughout this period, he maintained a rating above 2700 and remained within the top ranks among Indian players.
Playing Style of Arjun Erigaisi
Arjun is known for his positional strength and his ability to play stable, structured positions with patience. He rarely forces complications without reason and instead focuses on creating small, long-term advantages. His endgame technique is one of his strengths, and he often converts slightly better positions with clean and accurate play. In rapid and blitz formats, he is fast, confident, and reliable, which makes him effective in different time controls.
His opening choices show a universal approach. He is comfortable with mainstream systems like the Ruy López and Catalan with White, and the Nimzo-Indian and Petroff Defence with Black. This balanced style helps him adapt to different opponents and tournament formats.
Role in Indian Chess
Arjun belongs to the same generation as D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, and Raunak Sadhwani. This group has helped raise India’s profile in world chess, and Arjun plays an important role in it. While some of his contemporaries are known for highly tactical or dynamic approaches, Arjun brings stability and clear decision-making to the team. His consistent results make him a strong candidate for India in Olympiads and other international team competitions.
Arjun has received several honours, including a state award from Telangana in 2021. His results in international tournaments, especially rapid and classical events, have earned him regular invitations to major global competitions.
Conclusion
Arjun Erigaisi has built his career through steady improvement, disciplined training, and strong technical play. His results across major international tournaments show that he is one of India’s most reliable young grandmasters. With his balanced style and consistent performances, he is expected to remain an important figure in Indian and world chess in the coming years.
