Arjun Erigaisi’s historic leap past the 2800 Elo rating in classical chess and D. Gukesh’s emergence as the youngest World Championship challenger has propelled Indian chess to unprecedented heights. Add R.
Praggnanandhaa’s run to the World Cup final in 2023 and the historic double gold in the Budapest Olympiad this year make it even more special. As Viswanathan Anand’s brightest proteges continue to make their mark on the global stage, the legendary five-time World Champion shared his thoughts in an exclusive conversation with Sportstar . Anand delved into Arjun’s remarkable rise, the evolving chess landscape, and the challenges and innovations shaping the sport, including Gukesh’s collaboration with mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton.
Excerpt: Q. Arjun became only the second Indian after you to cross 2800, the youngest Indian, and the third youngest ever after Alireza Firouzja and Magnus Carlsen. How would you summarise the magnitude of this achievement? For me, this fixation on a number obscures the point.
Had he stopped at 2799, would it be any less impressive? What stands out is the journey. He started the year almost 80 points behind and climbed steadily, navigating high-stakes tournaments with razor-thin margins for error. Arjun lost one game in the Bundesliga against a young Turkish prodigy by pushing too hard, and it cost him nine rating points—that’s the margin of error he works with.
Most days, he wins and gains just one point or even less. Losin.
