Arjun Erigaisi has moved up to the second position in the global chess rankings following his victory against Alexey Sarana at the Chennai Grand Masters 2024. This achievement not only improved the 21-year-old’s ranking but also strengthened his lead in the Masters category, where he shares the top spot with Amin Tabatabaei after three rounds.
Currently, Magnus Carlsen holds the first position with 2831.0 rating points, while Arjun follows with 2805.8, just ahead of Fabiano Caruana from the United States, who has 2805.0 points. Arjun recently became the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to surpass the 2800 Elo rating mark.
Arjun Erigaisi Climbs to World No. 2
Arjun Erigaisi has climbed to second place in the world chess rankings after his victory over Alexey Sarana at the Chennai Grand Masters 2024. This win, which took place on Thursday, boosted his ranking significantly. Along with this, Arjun also strengthened his position at the top of the Masters category, where he now shares the lead with Amin Tabatabaei after completing three rounds of the tournament.
Starting with the black pieces, Arjun Erigaisi responded to Sarana’s Queen’s Pawn Opening with the Indian Game, swiftly transitioning into the East Indian Defense. After both players castled early, Arjun seized the advantage, securing his second win of the tournament. This victory pushed his ELO rating back to 2800, moving him ahead of Fabiano Caruana in the world rankings.
In the Masters category’s third round, Amin Tabatabaei delivered a surprising win over French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, showcasing his sharp tactical skills. Levon Aronian also notched a solid victory against Parham Maghsoodloo, further solidifying his position. Meanwhile, Vidit Gujrathi, after facing two consecutive losses, fought back to earn a hard-fought draw against local favorite Aravindh Chithambaram.
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Chennai Grand Masters 2024
The Chennai Grand Masters 2024 is divided into two categories: the Masters and the Challengers. The Masters category, which has a high level of competition, features players with an average rating of 2729, making it a very challenging event. In this category, the best players from around the world compete against each other.
On the other hand, the Challengers category is a new addition to the tournament. Its main goal is to give young and rising Indian chess players a chance to compete in a high-level tournament. This helps them gain experience and exposure, which is important for their growth in the world of chess.
By having both categories, the tournament provides a platform for both established players and upcoming talent to showcase their skills.
Pranav V Leads Challengers
In the Challengers division of the tournament, Pranav V continued his winning streak by securing his third victory in a row. This time, he defeated Karthikeyan Murali, maintaining his perfect record. Pranesh M also had a strong performance, winning his match against Vaishali Rameshbabu and moving up in the standings.
The matches between Raunak Sadhwani and Leon Mendonca, as well as Harika Dronavalli and Abhimanyu Puranik, ended in draws, meaning neither player won.
After three rounds of the tournament, Arjun and Tabatabaei are both leading the Masters category, each with 2.5 points. Aronian, another strong player, is just half a point behind them. In the Challengers division, Pranav V is leading the scoreboard with a perfect score of 3.0 points, having won all of his matches so far.
The tournament is being held at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai, and it will run from November 5 to 11, 2024.
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FAQs
Q.1. What is Arjun Erigaisi’s current ranking in the world chess standings?
Ans. Arjun Erigaisi is currently ranked World No. 2 in chess, following his win over Alexey Sarana at the Chennai Grand Masters 2024.
Q.2. Who is leading the Chennai Grand Masters 2024?
Ans. Arjun Erigaisi and Amin Tabatabaei are currently sharing the lead in the Masters category after three rounds of the Chennai Grand Masters 2024.
Q.3. What is the format of the Chennai Grand Masters 2024?
Ans. The tournament features two categories: Masters, for top-rated players, and Challengers, for emerging Indian talents, offering a platform for both established and rising stars.
Q.4. What is the rating of Arjun Erigaisi after his recent victory?
Ans. After his win over Alexey Sarana, Arjun Erigaisi’s Elo rating increased to 2805.8, placing him second in the world chess rankings.
Q.5. Where is the Chennai Grand Masters 2024 taking place?
Ans. The tournament is being held at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai, running from November 5 to 11, 2024.
