Arjun Erigaisi closes in on 2800 rating after winning WR Chess Masters 2024

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi relied on his strong analytical skills and quick decision-making to beat Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France to clinch WR Chess Masters 2024 title in London.

final of 16-player strong knockout tournament was decided via Armageddon after both classical games ended in draws.

competition followed a bidding Armageddon format in which player bids how much time y are willing to give up from 10 minutes to play black. Arjun bid six minutes 58 seconds as against 7:48 of Vachier-Lagrave and hence needed just a draw with black to win.

But Arjun, who is managed by MGD1, went for kill when he saw a chance for a win and wrapped up title in style to pocket a cash prize of €20000 and 27.84 FIDE circuit points.

21-year-old, who played a very important role in India’s first Olympi gold by winning nine and drawing two games third board last month, h breezed through earlier rounds in competition without being taken to an Armageddon in any of matches. He h defeated his Olympi teammates Praggnanandhaa in semifinals and Vidit Gujarathi in earlier rounds.

His French opponent, on or hand, h won three Armageddon enroute to final and Arjun understandably pushed for victory with white pieces in classical game.

But once he realised that victory was elusive, he quickly opted for a draw and his Armageddon strategy was spot on.

tournament also followed an unique time control format for classical games in which a player will get 60 mins for first 30 moves, n 30 minutes for next 20 moves and n 30 minutes for remaining moves, ensuring that each match game is over in four hours.

“ I am happy that I could apt to new format well and win tournament, ” said Arjun.

Arjun’s performance in London saw him achieve a live rating of 2796.1 and he will now look to cross 2800 mark at European Cup which starts from October 20.