Indian Chess Sensation Arjun Erigaisi Matches Anand's Historic Feat with Bronze Medal in World Rapid and Blitz Championships

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Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi capped off a remarkable 2025 with a bronze medal in the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Doha, Qatar. This achievement marks a historic milestone, as Erigaisi becomes only the second Indian to win medals in both the rapid and blitz sections of the championships. Viswanathan Anand, a chess legend, had previously achieved this feat in 2017 by winning the rapid gold and blitz bronze. Erigaisi's impressive performance in the blitz section earned him a spot in the semifinals, where he faced Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Although he defeated the Uzbek GM in the round-robin stage, he was unable to replicate that success in the semifinals, ultimately losing 2.5-0.5. The Indian GM's remarkable run in the championships also included a notable victory against Magnus Carlsen, the world's top-ranked chess player, in the round-robin stage. The Norwegian GM was visibly frustrated with his loss, slamming the table in a reaction reminiscent of his outburst against D. Gukesh earlier in the year. Erigaisi's bronze medal in the blitz section follows his recent bronze medal in the rapid section, and he finished the round-robin stage with 15 points from 19 games, including 12 wins and 6 draws. The Indian Government and the chess community have congratulated Erigaisi on his achievement, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeting his best wishes to the young GM. In a heartwarming message on social media, Erigaisi expressed his gratitude to his family, team, and sponsors for their support throughout the year. He also thanked fellow chess players, organizers, and volunteers for their hard work behind the scenes, and acknowledged the messages of support he had received from fans and well-wishers.