Pranav V. Extends Winning Streak, Erigaisi Leads Chennai Grand Masters

Pranav V. Extends Winning Streak, Erigaisi Leads Chennai Grand Masters

The Chennai Grand Masters 2024 witnessed a thrilling day of chess action, with India’s Pranav V. continuing his dominance in the Challengers section and Arjun Erigaisi seizing the lead in the Masters category.

Pranav, playing with black pieces, showcased his tactical prowess against Vaishali R. In a bold move, he sacrificed his Queen early on, forcing Vaishali to exchange her own. The game turned into a fierce battle, with both players exchanging heavy blows. However, Pranav’s strategic maneuvering proved too strong, and he eventually forced Vaishali into a corner, securing his fourth consecutive victory.

In the Masters section, Erigaisi emerged as the frontrunner after defeating Amin Tabatabaei in a clash of the leaders. Erigaisi, who recently ascended to the World No. 2 spot in Live Ratings, displayed his exceptional skills, accumulating 3.5 points from four rounds.

Other notable performances in the Masters category included stalemates between Vidit Gujrathi and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, as well as Aravindh Chithambaram and Levon Aronian. Parham Maghsoodloo and Alexey Sarana also played out a draw.

In the Challengers category, Leon Mendonca and Abhimanyu Puranik fought to a balanced draw, while Karthikeyan Murali showcased his talent with a strong win over Harika Dronavalli. Raunak Sadhwani and Pranesh M. concluded their match with a well-contested draw but lost ground on runaway leader Pranav.

The Chennai Grand Masters 2024, taking place at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai from November 5 to 11, 2024, features two categories: Masters and Challengers. The Masters category boasts a competitive field with a rating average of 2729, while the Challengers category provides a platform for emerging Indian talent.

Arjun Erigaisi Soars to World No. 2 in Chess Live Ratings

Arjun Erigaisi Soars to World No. 2 in Chess Live Ratings

Arjun Erigaisi, the rising star of Indian chess, has ascended to the world No. 2 spot in live ratings after his impressive victory over Aleksey Sarana at the Chennai Grand Masters. This remarkable achievement places him behind only the legendary Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world champion.

Erigaisi, 21, has been on a meteoric rise this year, becoming the 16th player in history to surpass 2800 Elo in live ratings. While he narrowly missed carrying this feat into the November published rankings, he has now reached a new peak of 2805.8. Viswanathan Anand remains the only other Indian to have achieved the 2800 mark in the published list.

Erigaisi’s exceptional performance has been fueled by a fearless, high-risk, high-reward approach. As Dutch GM Anish Giri noted, “Arjun plays a unique brand of chess which people following with modern engines can’t understand.” This aggressive style has resulted in few losses for the Warangal native, even in open tournaments.

Erigaisi’s current dominance has propelled him to the top of the Fide Circuit standings, a pathway to the Candidates Tournament. A victory at the Chennai Grand Masters, an eight-player single round robin event, would earn him 24.5 points. Last year, D Gukesh, who will compete in the World Championship later this month, qualified for the Candidates by winning the inaugural Chennai Grand Masters title on tiebreak from Erigaisi.

Erigaisi’s rise has been inspired by Gukesh’s success. In a recent interview, he expressed his belief in the possibility of emulating his compatriot’s achievement. With his current form and the potential to gain significant points in Chennai, Erigaisi is a strong contender for a spot at the next Candidates.

Arjun Erigaisi to Open Chennai Grand Masters Against Vidit Gujarathi

Arjun Erigaisi to Open Chennai Grand Masters Against Vidit Gujarathi

Chennai Grand Masters: Arjun Erigaisi to Open Campaign Against Vidit Gujarathi

World No. 4 Indian chess grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi will kick off his Chennai Grand Masters campaign against compatriot Vidit Gujarathi on Tuesday. This marks Erigaisi’s first tournament in India since crossing the historic 2800 ELO ranking mark.

The eight-player classical event will witness a thrilling opening round, with Aravindh Chithambaram facing Iranian Amin Tabatabaei, Vachier-Lagrave Maxime taking on Maghsoodloo Parham, and American Grandmaster Levon Aronian playing Alexey Sarana.

This year’s edition introduces a Challengers event featuring female players for the first time. The Challengers participants will compete for a prize pool of Rs 20 lakh, with the winner receiving Rs 6 lakh and a direct berth in the Masters next year.

In the Challengers category, Vaishali Rameshbabu will face Mendonca Leon Luke, while Harika Dronavalli will play Pranav V. Raunak Sadhwani will battle Karthikeyan Murali, and Pranesh M will take on Abhimanyu Puranik.

The Challengers event provides Indian prodigies with an opportunity to compete at the highest level. Last year’s inaugural edition was won by D Gukesh, who is currently preparing for the world championships title match against Ding Liren of China.

The Chennai Grand Masters tournament is organized by MGD1 with ChessBase India and sponsored by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. It will be held at the 1,100-seat Anna Centenary Library.

Arjun Erigaisi Crosses 2800 Rating Milestone, Sets Sights on Candidates Victory

Arjun Erigaisi Crosses 2800 Rating Milestone, Sets Sights on Candidates Victory

Arjun Erigaisi, the 19-year-old Indian chess prodigy, has etched his name in history by becoming only the second Indian and 16th player globally to cross the coveted 2800 live rating milestone. However, a draw in the final round of the European Club Cup against Vasyl Ivanchuk has temporarily dropped him below the 2800 mark.

In an exclusive interview with HT, Erigaisi shared his thoughts on this remarkable achievement, his performance this year, and his aspirations for the future.

On the 2800 Mark:

“It’s an honor to join a list that includes legendary players like Kasparov, Magnus, and Vishy,” said Erigaisi. “But I didn’t have any specific ambitions for this milestone. My focus was on our team’s success, and we won the silver, which made me very happy.”

On His Performance and Rating Jump:

“I’ve been working on detaching myself from my results, and it’s definitely helped,” explained Erigaisi. “I lost three games this year, but each time, it didn’t affect my next game. In the past, one loss would often spiral into another.”

“I believe that during periods of stagnation, my level is actually increasing even if my rating doesn’t reflect it,” he added. “Once my rating starts to improve, it tends to keep rising.”

On His Risky Style of Play:

“As long as things are working out well, it’s fine,” said Erigaisi. “But against more stable 2750 players, I might need to take fewer risks and play a bit more solidly. I know I’m capable of doing that, so I’m very confident.”

On the Next Candidates:

“Missing out on the last Candidates was painful,” admitted Erigaisi. “But seeing Gukesh win it has certainly had an impact on me and changed how I look at things. Earlier, I really wanted to qualify for the Candidates and believed I could, but I never considered the possibility of winning. Gukesh’s success in his first attempt gives me the confidence that I too can win it on my first attempt.”

On His Current Standing:

“I’m a top player,” said Erigaisi confidently. “There’s mutual respect among the top guys. Of course, Magnus is clearly the best in all three formats.”

On the World Championship and Rivals:

“I’ll be following the match and chilling at home,” said Erigaisi. “I’ve been away from home for a long time, and I’ve played a lot of tournaments this year. Gukesh is definitely the favorite for the match. Pragg seems to be going through a bit of a rough patch, but I’m sure he’ll be back stronger. We are there for each other for emotional support, but at the end of the day, we’re rivals.”

Arjun Erigaisi Crosses 2800 Elo Mark, Joins Elite Chess Club

Arjun Erigaisi Crosses 2800 Elo Mark, Joins Elite Chess Club

Arjun Erigaisi, the rising star of Indian chess, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming only the second Indian player to cross the 2800 Elo mark, joining the elite club of chess grandmasters. This achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.

Erigaisi’s journey to the 2800 club has been marked by bold decisions and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Despite not receiving invitations to top closed super tournaments, he opted to participate in open tournaments, risking rating points but gaining invaluable experience. His performance at the Olympiad was nothing short of spectacular, as he secured an individual gold medal with an unbeaten 10/11 run, propelling him to a career-high world ranking of No. 3.

Erigaisi’s rise to prominence has been characterized by his aggressive, attacking style, which has often led to double-edged positions. However, his ability to calculate complex positions and his willingness to take risks have been key to his success. His experience against lower-rated players in open tournaments has also played a significant role in his development.

The 2800 club is a highly exclusive group, with only 14 players in history having achieved this milestone. Erigaisi’s entry into this elite circle is a testament to the growing strength of Indian chess. Fellow Indian and World Championship challenger D Gukesh is also on the verge of joining the 2800 club, further highlighting the depth of talent in the country.

Erigaisi’s achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a source of inspiration for aspiring chess players in India and around the world. His journey demonstrates that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks, anything is possible.

Magnus Carlsen to Headline Tata Steel Chess India 2023

Magnus Carlsen to Headline Tata Steel Chess India 2023

The sixth edition of Tata Steel Chess India, scheduled from November 13 to 17, will witness the return of World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. The Norwegian Grandmaster, who previously triumphed in the 2019 edition, will headline the prestigious event.

India’s strong contingent, fresh from their golden performance at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, will feature rising stars Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gujrathi. Nihal Sarin and S L Narayanan will also represent India in the ‘Open’ category.

Like previous editions, the tournament will comprise ‘Open’ and women’s categories with identical rapid and blitz formats and equal prize money. India’s women’s team will be represented by Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, D. Harika, Divya Deshmukh, and Vantika Agrawal.

Chess legend Viswanathan Anand, the tournament’s ambassador, expressed his excitement: “I am looking forward to being back at Tata Steel Chess India. It has become the marquee event in India. This year brings the best of the world headed by Magnus Carlsen.”

Chanakya Chaudhary, vice-president of corporate services at Tata Steel, said: “We are excited to host the sixth edition of Tata Steel Chess India, which marks the return of world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Members of the Indian men’s and women’s squads, following their gold medal wins at the Chess Olympiad, will also join the tournament alongside top global players.”

The tournament lineup includes:

Open:
– Magnus Carlsen
– Nodirbek Abdusattorov
– Wesley So
– Vincent Keymer
– Daniil Dubov
– Arjun Erigaisi
– R Praggnanandhaa
– Vidit Gujrathi
– Nihal Sarin
– S L Narayanan

Women:
– Aleksandra Goryachkina
– Kateryna Lagno
– Alexandra Kosteniuk
– Nana Dzagnidze
– Valentina Gunina
– Koneru Humpy
– R. Vaishali
– D. Harika
– Divya Deshmukh
– Vantika Agrawal

India's Chess Teams Clinch Historic Gold Medals at Chess Olympiad

India’s Chess Teams Clinch Historic Gold Medals at Chess Olympiad

India’s chess teams made history on Sunday, claiming gold medals in both the men’s and women’s categories at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

The men’s team, led by D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanadhaa, defeated Slovenia 3-0 in the final round to secure the title. Gukesh, playing with black pieces, displayed his technical prowess against Vladimir Fedoseev, while Erigaisi and Praggnanadhaa also emerged victorious.

The women’s team, featuring Tania Sachdev, Koneru Humpy, and Harika Dronavalli, clinched the gold with a 3.5-0.5 triumph over Azerbaijan. Sachdev and Humpy won their matches, while Dronavalli drew hers.

This marks the first time that India has won gold medals in both the men’s and women’s categories at the Chess Olympiad. The men’s team had previously won bronze medals in 2014 and 2022, while the women’s team had won bronze in 2022.

After their victory, the Indian contingent celebrated with a unique gesture, imitating the iconic slow-walk celebration of Rohit Sharma and Lionel Messi after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 and FIFA World Cup 2022, respectively.

The Indian men’s team finished the tournament with an impressive 21 points out of a possible 22, conceding only a single draw to Uzbekistan. The women’s team also performed exceptionally, scoring 3.5-0.5 against Azerbaijan.

This historic victory is a testament to the growing strength of chess in India and the dedication and hard work of the players and coaches. It is a proud moment for the nation and a significant milestone in the history of Indian chess.

India Maintains Gold Medal Position in Chess Olympiad After Round 9 Draw

India Maintains Gold Medal Position in Chess Olympiad After Round 9 Draw

The 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India, has reached its penultimate stage, with the final rounds promising intense competition and potential upsets. In Round 9, India’s top-ranked player, Arjun Erigaisi, drew against Uzbekistan’s Vokhidov Shamsiddin, allowing Uzbekistan to split points with India in a 2-2 result.

Despite the draw, India remains in a commanding position for the gold medal in the Open section, with 17 match points. They will face the United States in Round 10 on Saturday. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand expressed optimism about India’s chances, stating, “I knew India’s cards were very good but it just feels like everything is falling in place.”

The top board match-up between D Gukesh and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, both rising superstars of chess, ended in a draw. Gukesh played a rare g3 pawn push on move 8 in a Najdorf, but the game fizzled out without any major fireworks.

Anand spoke about the psychological impact of certain games, recalling a painful loss suffered by Gukesh against Abdusattorov two years ago. “It was particularly painful for me because not only did he lose, he also shot past a draw… I’m going to assume he’s past it,” Anand said.

The women’s team suffered a setback in Round 8 with a loss to Poland. However, Vantika Agrawal played a key role in preventing a repeat of the 2022 Olympiad loss to the United States, defeating Irina Krush with Black to secure a 2-2 draw.

In other notable matches, Magnus Carlsen lost to Vladmir Fedoseev, causing Norway to slump further down the standings. Reigning world champion Ding Liren also drew against Iran’s Parham Maghsoodloo after a winning position petered out to an equal rook endgame.

India's Chess Prodigies Shine at Budapest Olympiad

India’s Chess Prodigies Shine at Budapest Olympiad

India’s stellar performance at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest has been a testament to the remarkable growth of its young chess prodigies. Arjun Erigaisi and D Gukesh have led the charge, guiding the team to an undefeated record through eight rounds.

While India’s success was anticipated, it has drawn inevitable comparisons to the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai. Back then, Arjun, Gukesh, and R Praggnanandhaa were still emerging talents, and the tournament hinted at their future potential.

Those predictions have largely come to fruition. Arjun, Gukesh, and Praggnanandhaa have made significant strides, while Nihal Sarin has struggled to keep pace. In 2022, Gukesh won the gold medal as the best individual Board 1 player, showcasing his brilliance. However, Nihal’s performance as the best Board 2 player with a 2774 rating performance was equally impressive.

Nihal acknowledges his current struggles, admitting that his game has not been up to par. He has crossed the 2600 Elo rating mark twice, but his progress has been hindered by inconsistent results.

Despite his challenges, Nihal offers valuable insights into the success of his teammates. He attributes their achievements to their exceptional strength, focus, motivation, and hard work. He also highlights their ability to manage risk effectively, a crucial skill in chess.

Arjun’s mastery of unbalanced positions has been evident in both the 2023 Chess World Cup and the Olympiad. Nihal emphasizes the difficulty of consistently dominating lower-rated players, a feat that Arjun has accomplished with remarkable consistency.

The success of others can serve as inspiration, and Nihal acknowledges that he may need to make changes to his approach. He recognizes the importance of enjoying the game and expressing oneself, but admits that it is easier to disregard ratings when they are rising.

As the final rounds of the Olympiad approach, the Indian team will face increasing pressure. Nihal believes that maintaining composure will be paramount. He emphasizes the unpredictable nature of chess, where a single mistake can overturn a winning position.

India Dominates Budapest Olympiad, Poised for Record-Breaking Finish

India Dominates Budapest Olympiad, Poised for Record-Breaking Finish

A decade ago, India made history at the Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway, winning its first medal since its debut in 1956. Led by K Sasikiran, the team finished third behind China and Hungary.

Fast forward to 2023, and India stands as the sole leader at the halfway mark of the Budapest Olympiad. With all their matches won so far, the team is poised for a record-breaking finish.

This time, India’s dominance is not surprising. Its top players, aged 18-21, have been making waves individually, with jaw-dropping performances in the World Cup, Candidates, and World Championship.

The team’s strength lies in its youth and talent. The top three boards average an age of 19, with two of them ranked among the world’s top five. They have been crushing their opponents with machine-like precision.

Arjun Erigaisi, ranked fourth in the world, has a flawless 6/6 score. Gukesh, who missed the first round, has been equally dominant with four wins and a draw. His performances have caught the attention of world No.1 Magnus Carlsen and reigning world champion Ding Liren.

In Round 7, India will face China, with a potential face-off between Ding and Gukesh. China has been shaky in recent times, but remains a formidable opponent.

The Indian women’s team is also performing well, having beaten every team they have faced. Divya Deshmukh has been a standout performer, winning five of her six games and closing in on Elo 2500.

The Indian teams won bronze medals at the last Olympiad in 2022. This time, they are aiming for gold. With five rounds remaining, anything is possible. However, one thing is clear: India has emerged as a world-dominating chess nation, and the future looks bright.

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