Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X on Wednesday to extend his heartfelt congratulations to Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi for securing a bronze medal at the prestigious FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship held in Doha. The Prime Minister highlighted that this remarkable achievement is a clear reflection of India's accelerating progress and growing prowess in the world of chess.
Erigaisi's Stellar Performance in Doha
Arjun Erigaisi showcased exceptional skill and determination throughout the high-pressure tournament. He dominated the Swiss Round, amassing an impressive 15 points and outperforming a field of elite players, which notably included the current world number one, Magnus Carlsen of Norway. His journey to the podium was halted in the semifinals, where he faced a narrow defeat with a score of 2.5–1.5 against the talented Uzbek player, Nodirbek Abdusattorov. This result secured him the third-place finish and the bronze medal.
This latest accolade adds significant lustre to Erigaisi's already shining week, as it comes immediately after he clinched a bronze medal in the World Rapid Chess Championship. This double medal feat has etched his name in the annals of Indian chess history. He has become only the second Indian male chess player, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to ever win a medal at the World Blitz Championships.
Prime Minister's Praise and Inspiration for Youth
In his congratulatory post, Prime Minister Modi wrote, "India's strides in chess continue!" He applauded Erigaisi for his bronze medal win in Doha, which followed his recent rapid chess championship bronze. The Prime Minister specifically commended the young grandmaster's "skills, patience and passion," describing them as exemplary. He expressed confidence that Erigaisi's successes will serve as a powerful inspiration for the youth of the nation and extended his best wishes for the player's future endeavours.
A Celebratory Week for Indian Chess
This is not the first time this week that the Prime Minister has celebrated Indian chess talent. Just on Sunday, he had congratulated both Arjun Erigaisi and Grandmaster Koneru Humpy for their bronze medal victories at the World Rapid Championships in the Open and women's categories, respectively. Humpy's campaign was particularly dramatic; she entered the tournament as the defending champion and finished in a three-way tie for first place. However, she missed securing a third World Rapid title due to the International Chess Federation's tie-break rules, a system that has faced some criticism.
The consecutive medal hauls by Indian players on the global stage underscore a period of remarkable growth and competitive spirit in Indian chess. The achievements of players like Erigaisi and Humpy signal a robust and promising future for the sport in the country, building on the formidable legacy of icons like Viswanathan Anand and inspiring a new generation to take up the 64 squares.
