New Delhi: Indian chess grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi capped off an impressive end to the year by winning back to back bronze medals at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships, marking another significant milestone in his rapidly rising international career. Following the achievement, Erigaisi expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family, team, sponsors and the wider chess community for their constant support throughout the season.
After securing bronze at the World Rapid Championship in Doha, Erigaisi went on to replicate the feat at the World Blitz Championship, showcasing remarkable consistency against a strong global field. Sharing his thoughts after the tournaments, he thanked not only those directly involved in his journey but also fellow players, organisers and volunteers who work behind the scenes to make elite competitions possible. He also acknowledged the encouragement he received from fans, saying their messages remained a source of motivation.
In the World Blitz Championship, Erigaisi delivered an outstanding performance during the league stage, finishing among the top contenders to qualify for the four player knockout. He accumulated 14.5 points from 18 rounds, registering 12 wins, five draws and just one loss, sealing his semifinal berth in the penultimate round. Although he fell short in the semifinal against Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the Indian star still secured a podium finish, adding another medal to India’s tally.
Earlier, Erigaisi had impressed at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championship, also held in Doha. Competing in a 13 round Swiss system with a 15 minute time control and a 10 second increment, he scored 9.5 points to clinch his first ever bronze medal at the event. The result underlined his growing stature in fast time control formats.
With two major international medals in quick succession, Erigaisi’s performances highlighted both his competitive maturity and his ability to deliver under pressure. The twin podium finishes rounded off a memorable season and reinforced his position as one of India’s leading figures on the global chess stage.
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