Arjun Erigaisi: The prodigy born from a teacher’s advice who shone at the Chess Olympiad

India recently made history by winning double gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad. In the final round against Slovenia, it was not just Gukesh but also Arjun Erigaisi who scored crucial points, leading the team to victory. The 23-year-old from Telangana has risen rapidly in the chess world.

Early life of Arjun Erigaisi

Arjun was born on September 3, 2003, in Warangal, Telangana. His journey to chess stardom has been marked by hard work and perseverance. His father is a surgeon, and his mother is a homemaker. In 2008, a school teacher in Tirupati suggested he try chess. Three years later, at the age of 8, Arjun took up the game and eventually earned the title of Grandmaster at just 14 years old.

Family Support to Arjun

Arjun has always received strong support from his family. In an interview with Chessbase, he shared, “At the very start I used to feel some pressure, but my mother really motivates me a lot and supports me.” He also mentioned how his parents have been consistently supportive of both him and his sister, adding, “They do not put any pressure on me, or my sister and they just ask us to do well in whatever we do.”

Move to Hyderabad for training

Arjun began his chess training in Warangal under coach Bollam Sampath, who taught him the basics. He later trained with A Sudarshan, who travelled from Hyderabad to Warangal specifically to coach him. Eventually, Arjun moved to Hyderabad and continued his training under N Ramaraju.

Key milestones and achievements

Grandmaster Title: At just 14 years old, Arjun achieved the prestigious Grandmaster title, becoming one of the youngest to do so.
National Championships: He has won the Indian National Championship, proving his dominance in the domestic chess scene.
International Success: Arjun has consistently performed well in international tournaments, earning recognition as a rising star in the chess world.