New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has obtained his US visa on Monday and will fly on the same night. This comes after the 21-year-old was awaiting for his visa from the United States Embassy in order to participate in the World Rapid & Blitz Championship scheduled to start on December 26 in New York.
On Friday (December 20), the World No.4 expressed his concerns on social media that he had submitted his passport to the US Embassy for visa stamping, but that wasn’t returned even after a week. He asked the US officials to hasten the process for his smooth travel for the year-ender competition. Just two days after the plea, things have sorted for the Warangal-based chess player.
What is significance of World Rapid & Blitz Championship 2024
The World Rapid & Blitz Championship holds very significance for the player given that can help him propel his world rankings. Arjun’s current world ranking is World No.4 but then he is just six points away from the World No.2 Fabiano Caruana of America in the FIDE Circuit Standings.
The tournament in the Wall Street of New York is the last which will offer points to players for the final FIDE standings.
“The World Rapid and Blitz Championship may not be a classical world championship but it’s still a World Championship. It’s very prestigious. Besides, if I do well there I will have the chance to qualify for the Candidates tournament,” Arjun had told The Indian Express.
Arjun Erigaisi’s current points
Earlier in December, Arjun Erigaisi became the second Indian chess player to cross the ELO rating of 2800 points after five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. Just a month before that, Arjun achieved the World No.2 ranking after clinching the Chennai Grand Masters.
Arjun’s current points are 124.40, which is behind Caruana’s 132.42 points. The player who tops the FIDE Circuit standings by the end of the year will pick up one of the eight spots in the Candidates tournament in 2026. The winner of the Candidates will challenge reigning world champion D Gukesh for the World Championship final in 2026.
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi secured his US visa, enabling participation in the World Rapid & Blitz Championship in New York. This crucial tournament offers vital ranking points, with Erigaisi aiming to close the gap on Fabiano Caruana for a coveted Candidates Tournament spot in 2026, potentially leading to a World Championship challenge. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
