Indian Star GM Arjun Erigaisi Achieves 2800+ Rating, Joins Exclusive Club

Indian chess star Arjun Erigaisi has made history by achieving a 2800+ rating for the first time, joining an elite group of players to break this barrier. The 21-year-old player reached this milestone during the European Club Cup in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia, where he has been representing the North Macedonian team Alkaloid.

Arjun’s impressive performance in the tournament, where he currently holds a score of 5/6 and a 2852 performance rating on board one, has solidified his position as one of the top players in the world. His win against GM Dmitry Andreikin in round five pushed his live rating to 2802.1, making him only the 16th player in chess history to achieve a rating above 2800.

In an interview with Chess.com, Arjun expressed his satisfaction with reaching this milestone, stating, “It feels good because I won the game against a strong opponent and 2800 is just an added bonus.” He now follows in the footsteps of Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand as the second Indian player to break the 2800 rating mark.

Arjun’s remarkable rise in the chess world over the past year, climbing from 2713 to 2797 and ranking 3rd in the world, has been nothing short of extraordinary. If he maintains his 2800 rating by the end of the European Club Cup, he will become the third youngest player to achieve this feat, behind Alireza Firouzja and Magnus Carlsen.

Despite his meteoric rise and newfound status among the top players in the world, Arjun remains humble and focused on his game. He stated, “I am just not thinking about all that now, my current focus is only on the remaining games here.” His dedication and passion for the game have undoubtedly contributed to his success on the chessboard.

Chess enthusiasts around the world will be eagerly awaiting the final round of the European Club Cup to see if Arjun can maintain his 2800+ rating. His achievement is a testament to his skill, determination, and unwavering commitment to the game of chess.