For eight long years, Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi's quest for a world championship medal was a story of heartbreaking near-misses. The pattern of hope followed by disappointment seemed unbreakable. That cycle, however, was dramatically shattered on a Sunday night in Doha. Arjun finally secured a coveted podium finish in the Open section of the World Rapid Championship, etching his name alongside the legendary Viswanathan Anand as only the second Indian ever to achieve this feat.
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough
The journey to this moment has been arduous. The script began in 2017, the same year Anand won his last world rapid title, when a young Arjun finished as the runner-up in the U-14 World Youth Championship. Since that promising start, a world championship podium remained agonizingly out of reach, a constant "so-near-yet-so-far" affair for the prodigy from Warangal. Despite a stellar 14-year career decorated with international titles, an Olympiad gold, and a rise to become India's No. 1 in ratings, the ultimate world championship glory eluded him. Even after crossing the prestigious 2800 Elo mark in October last year, becoming only the second Indian after Anand to do so, luck seemed to evade him in major title contests.
The Rollercoaster Ride in Doha
The 2024 World Rapid Championship in Doha perfectly encapsulated Arjun's turbulent relationship with fate. He started brilliantly, sharing the lead with world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen after a stunning performance on the first day. In a marathon 101-move game, he held Carlsen to a draw despite the Norwegian having two extra pawns, showcasing his incredible resilience. However, Day Two brought a defeat and a couple of draws, yet he held on to a joint second place. The final day delivered another cruel twist: just when he was building momentum, he suffered a shocking loss to 14-year-old, 156th-ranked Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, nearly falling out of medal contention completely.
Unbroken, Arjun fought back with characteristic grit, winning his last two crucial rounds. As the final standings were calculated, Magnus Carlsen secured the title with a clear lead. The players tied for second place drew their final game, and Arjun, by the slimmest of margins—half a point on tie-breaks—sneaked onto the podium to claim the bronze medal. Poignantly, in the previous three World Rapid Championships, he had missed the bronze medal by the exact same margin.
Consistent Excellence Amidst New Generation Rivalry
Arjun Erigaisi's career trajectory has been marked by phenomenal consistency. He became a Grandmaster at just 14, achieving the title in a mere four months. Post-pandemic, from 2021 onwards, his game ascended to new heights. His first major Elo surge saw him climb 230 places globally. By 2022, he leaped from 134th to 21st in the world, firmly establishing himself among India's new chess triumvirate alongside D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa.
Between November 2023 and July 2024, he outperformed the global elite, adding 66 rating points to reach a peak of 2778 and rising to world No. 4. Yet, despite this staggering consistency, the spotlight often shone brighter on his peers—world champion Gukesh and twice Candidates winner Praggnanandhaa. A heart-breaking elimination in the Goa World Cup earlier this year was a major setback, but the Doha podium proves his ability to bounce back stronger.
Arjun Erigaisi's bronze medal in Doha is more than just a podium finish. It is the breaking of a long-standing jinx, a validation of his Super GM strength, and a powerful statement that he is ready to challenge for the very top honors in world chess. The wait is finally over.
