Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi poses with his bronze medal at the FIDE Rapid Chess Championship. (FIDE/Anna Shtourman)
Prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi for winning a bronze medal at the World Blitz Championships in Doha on Tuesday. PM Modi termed it as another successful stride of India in world chess, adding that Arjun’s exploits will continue to inspire the youth of the country.
“India’s strides in chess continue! Congratulations to Arjun Erigaisi for winning the Bronze at the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship in Doha, following his bronze medal in FIDE Rapid Chess Championship recently. His skills, patience and passion are exemplary. His successes will continue to inspire our youth. My best wishes to him. @ArjunErigaisi,” the PM posted on X.
Erigaisi suffered a shattering semifinal loss to top Uzbek player Nodirbek Abdusattorov as the ace Indian settled for a bronze medal. Erigaisi, 22, can take heart in the fact that he will return home two World bronze medals — in rapid and blitz — a feat which very few players in the world have achieved. The Indian ace was on song on day two of the qualification rounds.
India’s strides in chess continue!
Congratulations to Arjun Erigaisi for winning the Bronze at the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship in Doha, following his bronze medal in FIDE Rapid Chess Championship recently. His skills, patience and passion are exemplary. His successes…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 31, 2025
After stunning the likes of global icon Carlsen and his nemesis in the semifinal, Abdusattorov, on the opening day on Monday to emerge sole leader on 10 points from 13 games, Erigaisi went through the remaining six rounds on day two with steely resolve. He won four rounds and drew two to remain sole leader with 15 points and securing a place in the knockouts.
Erigaisi was drawn against 2021 World Rapid champion Abdusattorov, who secured a place in the last-four by the skin of the teeth, barely managing to nudge Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave to fifth spot on ‘best tie-break’ rule after both ended on 13 points. With Erigaisi in a stunning form and the advantage of beating Abdusattorov on day one of the competition, the Indian was expected to go full steam.
But things took a different and difficult turn for Erigaisi who lost the semifinal 2.5-0.5. He could not convert the advantage with white in the opening game in the knockout, losing in 47 moves to be 0-1 down. A resurgent Abdusattorov turned things decisively his way in the second game by played ‘Rc5’ on the 75th move, ending the game in 83 moves.
With the Uzbek needing only half-a-point to seal his place in the final, Abdusattorov settled for a quick draw with black pieces after 33 moves despite being in a winning position, rendering the fourth game pointless.
Curated by James Chen
