Arjun Erigaisi Wins Jerusalem Masters, Overcomes Disappointment with Thrilling Victory

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Arjun Erigaisi has bounced back from a disappointing quarterfinal exit at the Chess World Cup, claiming the Jerusalem Masters title with a thrilling victory over Viswanathan Anand. The Indian grandmaster took home a prize of USD 55,000, defeating Anand in a tense tie-breaker after the first two Rapid games ended in a draw. Erigaisi's win marked a significant turnaround for the 20-year-old, who had fallen short in Goa last month. He credited his resilience and determination for his success, saying, 'It wasn't easy, definitely. There were a lot of challenges, but I'm glad I managed to make it through.' The Jerusalem Masters featured a star-studded lineup, including ex-World Cup winner Peter Svidler and Ian Nepomniachtchi. Erigaisi defeated Svidler in the semifinals, while Anand beat the Russian GM in the semis. In the final, both players made several blunders, resulting in a draw in the first game. However, Erigaisi regained his composure in the second game and the tie-breaker, ultimately emerging victorious with a 45-move Blitz win in the first tie-breaker game. Erigaisi's victory is a testament to his growing skills and determination. When asked about his performance, he said, 'During the game, I was very worried. I knew I was winning and I knew I messed it. So, I was definitely worried. But okay, all I had to do was to fight back and that is what I was trying to do.'