Double Bronze, Golden Moment: PM Modi Hails Arjun Erigaisi as India’s New Torchbearer in World Chess
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi for clinching the bronze medal at the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship in Doha, calling it yet another powerful statement of India’s growing dominance on the global chessboard.
Congratulating the 22-year-old prodigy, the Prime Minister said Arjun’s achievement underlined India’s steady rise as a chess powerhouse and described his journey as an inspiration for young aspirants across the country.
In a post on X, Modi highlighted that Erigaisi’s bronze in blitz came close on the heels of his bronze medal at the World Rapid Chess Championship, making it a rare double-podium finish at the elite level.
“India’s strides in chess continue,” the Prime Minister wrote, praising Erigaisi’s skill, patience, and passion, and expressing confidence that his success would motivate a new generation of players.
A Tournament of Grit and Brilliance
Erigaisi’s campaign in Doha was marked by resilience and flair.
After a sensational opening day, where he stunned some of the biggest names in world chess—including global icon Magnus Carlsen—the Indian ace emerged as the sole leader with 10 points from 13 rounds.
He carried that momentum into the second day of the qualification rounds, displaying remarkable composure under pressure.
Winning four games and drawing two in the final six rounds, Erigaisi finished with 15 points, comfortably booking his place in the knockout stage as the outright leader.
Semifinal Setback, But a Historic Podium
In the semifinals, Erigaisi faced a familiar and formidable rival—Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the 2021 World Rapid Champion.
Despite entering the clash in red-hot form and having beaten Abdusattorov earlier in the tournament, the Indian star found the going tough in the high-stakes knockout.
Abdusattorov edged past Erigaisi 2.5–0.5. The Indian missed chances with the white pieces in the opening game and eventually went down after 47 moves.
The second game proved decisive, with the Uzbek turning the tables through a deep endgame manoeuvre, sealing the contest.
With the semifinal already decided, the remaining game ended in a quick draw.
A Rare Double at the World Stage
While the semifinal loss was disappointing, Erigaisi’s overall achievement stands tall.
Returning home with two world championship bronze medals—one in rapid and one in blitz—places him in an elite global club, a feat achieved by only a handful of players worldwide.
For Indian chess, Erigaisi’s performance reinforces a broader narrative: a new generation is no longer content with participation—they are challenging, leading, and finishing on the podium at the very top.
As Prime Minister Modi noted, Arjun Erigaisi’s rise is not just a personal triumph—it is a sign of India’s chess renaissance, one bold move at a time.
#ArjunErigaisi #PMModi #IndianChess #WorldBlitzChampionship #FIDEChess #ChessOlympiad #Doha #BronzeMedal #RisingIndia #YouthInspiration
