Arjun Erigaisi, born on September 3, 2003, is an Indian chess grandmaster and currently India’s highest-ranked player as of September 2025, surpassing former world champion Viswanathan Anand. A chess prodigy, he earned the title of grandmaster at just 14 years, 11 months, and 13 days, making him the 32nd youngest person ever to achieve this title. He is the 54th grandmaster from India and won the Indian National Championship in 2022. From 2015 to 2018, Arjun earned a silver medal at the 2015 Asian Youth Championship in Korea. The year 2021 marked a significant milestone for him as he became the first Indian to qualify for the Goldmoney Asian Rapid of the Champions Chess Tour, competing against notable players like Alireza Firouzja and Daniil Dubov, and only losing to Levon Aronian in tie breaks after a tough match.
Arjun Erigaisi Biography 2025
In October 2021, he secured second place at the Junior U21 Round Table Open Chess Championship (Classical) in Bulgaria, scoring 7/9 alongside Alexey Sarana. In November 2021, he achieved a remarkable third place out of 82 competitors in the Lindores Abbey Blitz Tournament in Riga, outperforming renowned players such as Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Levon Aronian. Later that month, Arjun won the Rapid section of the Tata Steel India Chess Tournament, finishing with a score of 6.5/9, ahead of players like Vidit Gujrathi and Lê Quang Liêm, clinching victory by drawing against Levon Aronian despite being in a losing position.
Arjun Erigaisi Biography Details
| Country |
India |
| Born |
3 September 2003 (age 21)
Warangal, Telangana, India |
| Title |
Grandmaster (2018) |
| FIDE rating |
2797 (October 2025) |
| Peak rating |
2797 (October 2025) |
| Ranking |
No. 3 (October 2025) |
| Peak ranking |
No. 3 (October 2025) |
Arjun Erigaisi Early Life
Arjun was born into a Telugu family in Warangal, Telangana. His father is a neurosurgeon, while his mother is a housewife. He honed his chess skills at the BS Chess Academy in Hanamkonda. Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi won the 2025 WR Chess Masters Cup by defeating French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a thrilling Armageddon match. This victory secured Arjun a top prize of €20,000 (around Rs 18 lakh) and earned him 27.84 FIDE Circuit points.
Arjun Erigaisi Bio
| Attribute |
Information |
| Profession |
Chess player |
| Famous for |
Winning the 28th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in August 2022 |
Physical Stats
| Measurement |
Value |
| Height |
161 cm (5’ 3”) |
| Eye Colour |
Black |
| Hair Colour |
Black |
Chess Achievements
| Year |
Tournament |
| FIDE Rating |
2725 (September 2022) |
| Ranking |
No. 24 (September 2022) |
| Medals |
- Silver (2015: Asian Youth Championship)
- Gold (2018: World Youth Under-16 tournament)
- Gold (2025: 45th Chess Olympiad, Individual)
|
| 2025 |
Gaprindashvili Trophy at the 45th Chess Olympiad |
Personal Life
| Attribute |
Information |
| Date of Birth |
3 September 2003 |
| Age |
21 Years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace |
Warangal, Telangana |
| Zodiac Sign |
Virgo |
| Nationality |
Indian |
| Hometown |
Telangana |
| School |
Shine High School, Hanamkonda |
| College/University |
College dropout; Bachelor of Data Science |
Family Background
| Relationship |
Information |
| Wife/Spouse |
N/A |
| Father |
Dr. E. Srinivas Rao (Neurosurgeon) |
| Mother |
E. Jyothi |
| Sibling |
Sister – Keerthana |
Lesser Known Facts
| Fact |
Details |
| Chess Beginnings |
Started playing for fun with friends |
| Early Training |
Began formal training at age 11 |
| First Victory |
Runner-up in under-nine selection tournament in 2011 |
| State U-11 Champion |
Gold in State U-11 selections in Rajahmundry |
| National U-13 Champion |
Gold in Ahmedabad National U-13 championship |
| Title Earned |
Candidate Master title by FIDE in 2016 |
| Grandmaster Achievement |
Became the first grandmaster from Telangana at age 14 |
| Goldmoney Asian Rapid |
First Indian to qualify for the tournament in 2021 |
| Junior U21 Round Table |
Second place in October 2021 |
| Lindores Abbey Blitz |
Third place in November 2021 |
Tournament Insights
| Event |
Outcome |
| Tata Steel Tournament |
Runner-up in rapid and blitz section |
| Blitz Tournament Insight |
Preferred blitz over rapid format |
Arjun Erigaisi Salary And Net Worth
Arjun Erigaisi reasonable to estimate it to be over $1.5 million.
Arjun Erigaisi Summary
Arjun Erigaisi, born on September 3, 2003, in Warangal, Telangana, is an accomplished Indian chess grandmaster and currently India’s highest-ranked player. Achieving his grandmaster title at just 14 years and 11 months, he has quickly risen to prominence in the chess community. Arjun’s early passion for the game transformed into a serious pursuit after he began formal training at the age of eleven.
His impressive achievements include winning the 2025 Chess Olympiad gold medal and the 28th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in 2022. With a strong record in various tournaments, including a successful stint in the Goldmoney Asian Rapid of the Champions Chess Tour, Arjun exemplifies the future potential of Indian chess. His dedication and skill mark him as a significant figure in the sport, inspiring the next generation of players.
FAQs
What was Arjun Erigaisi’s first major international chess medal?
Arjun Erigaisi won a silver medal at the 2015 Asian Youth Championship held in Korea.
Where did Arjun Erigaisi receive his early chess training?
He began his chess training at the BS Chess Academy in Hanamkonda, Telangana.
How did Arjun Erigaisi perform at the WR Chess Masters Cup 2025?
Arjun won the WR Chess Masters Cup in 2025 by defeating Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in an Armageddon match.
What academic path did Arjun Erigaisi pursue?
He pursued a Bachelor of Data Science course but later dropped out to focus fully on chess.
What significant award did Arjun Erigaisi win at the 45th Chess Olympiad?
Arjun won an individual gold medal and helped India secure the Gaprindashvili Trophy at the 45th Chess Olympiad.
What is Arjun Erigaisi’s estimated net worth in 2025?
His estimated net worth as of 2025 is over $1.5 million.
