Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi showcased brilliant form to secure the WR Chess Masters title after defeating France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in an Armageddon game, following two draws in Classical chess. With this win, Arjun edges closer to the 2800 Elo rating mark, finishing with a live rating of 2796. The 21-year-old earned a prize of 20,000 Euros, defeating friend R. Praggnanandhaa in the semifinals, and plans to chase the 2800 milestone at the European Cup starting October 20.
Road to the Final
Arjun started strong, defeating nine-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan and fellow Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi. In the semifinals, he overcame R. Praggnanandhaa with a 1.5-0.5 win.
Tense Final Against Vachier-Lagrave
In the final, Arjun’s defense with black pieces led to an easy draw in the first game, while the second saw a complex Sicilian Najdorf battle. After two draws, Arjun won the Armageddon game, maintaining control despite time pressure, and neutralizing Vachier-Lagrave’s sacrifice attempts.
A Rising Chess Star
With this victory, Arjun continues his meteoric rise, having recently been part of the Indian team that won gold at the Chess Olympiad. He now eyes the prestigious 2800 Elo rating, a milestone for elite Grandmasters.
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