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Arjun Erigaisi Wins World Blitz Bronze, Joins Anand on Indian Podium

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has won the bronze medal at the FIDE World Blitz Championship in Doha. This achievement comes just days after he secured a bronze medal in the World Rapid Championship at the same venue. With this podium finish, Erigaisi becomes only the second Indian male player, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to medal at this elite event. In the women's competition, Indian star Humpy Koneru also claimed a bronze medal after a dramatic playoff for the title.

Key Points: Arjun Erigaisi Wins Bronze at FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship

  • Back-to-back World Championship medals
  • Joins Viswanathan Anand in elite club
  • Magnus Carlsen wins sixth Rapid title
  • Humpy Koneru claims women's bronze
2 min read

FIDE World Blitz C'ships: Arjun Erigaisi secures bronze medal couple days after Rapid bronze

Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi secures bronze at the World Blitz Championship in Doha, days after a rapid bronze. He joins Viswanathan Anand as only the second Indian male on the podium.

"Arjun became only the second Indian male player, after legendary Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, to achieve a podium finish at the event."

Doha, December 30

Indian chess grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi continued his fine run in global chess, securing the bronze medal in the International Chess Federation World Blitz Championships in Doha on Tuesday.

After stunning performances in the league stage, Erigaisi could not managed to replicate the same in the semifinal against Nodirbek Abdusattorov, losing the match. But nonetheless, a bronze medal for India was sealed, as per ESPN.

Arjun made it to the four-player knockouts, with his spot sealed in the second-last round, winning 14.5 points in the first 18 rounds, with 12 wins, five draws and a loss.

The 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championship, held in Doha before this, saw a 13-round Swiss system with a 15-minute plus 10-second increment time control. India's Arjun clinched his maiden bronze medal at the event, with a score of 9.5, a couple of days back.

Additonally, Arjun became only the second Indian male player, after legendary Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, to achieve a podium finish at the event. Magnus Carlsen clinched his sixth World Rapid title in the men's event, with an unbeaten score of 10.5 out of 13.

The women's title came down to a blitz playoff after Zhu Jiner, Aleksandra Goryachkina, and defending champion Humpy Koneru all were tied on 8/10 points. In Round 11, Zhu and Goryachkina drew their games.

Koneru had a winning endgame against her opponent, B. Savitha, but she misplayed in time trouble, resulting in a draw. According to the regulations, in the event of a tie for first place, only the top two players (based on tiebreaks) advanced to the playoff finals. This means Goryachkina and Zhu contested two blitz games, with Humpy taking home the bronze medal. Goryachkina quickly won the first and drew the second to secure the title.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a chess fan, this is brilliant news. To be the second Indian man after Anand to podium at this level speaks volumes. The competition with Carlsen is so tough, so a bronze is a massive result. Well done, Arjun!
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Priyanka N
Heartbreak for Humpy Koneru though! She was so close to defending her title. That time trouble against Savitha... it's cruel how these things happen at the highest level. Still, a bronze for her too. The Indian contingent is shining!
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Rohit P
Absolutely brilliant! But a small critique for the coverage: the article focuses so much on the men's event. Humpy's dramatic story of missing the playoff by a whisker deserved more detail upfront. Both achievements are equally stellar.
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Karthik V
This is the result of years of hard work and the growing chess ecosystem in India. From Anand to now Arjun and the women players, we are becoming a chess superpower. Government and corporate support for these athletes must continue!
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Michael C
Incredible consistency from Erigaisi. To perform at this level in both rapid and blitz formats requires immense skill and mental fortitude. Beating the world's best in the league stage is a sign of greater things to come.

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