Archive · 4 Jan 2026
Arjun Erigaisi achieves historic chess milestone
Arjun Erigaisi, a young chess player from India, did something amazing.
He played in a big chess tournament in Doha, Qatar, and won bronze medals in both the Rapid and Blitz categories.
Because of this, he is now in the top 10 players in the world for all three main types of chess: Classical, Rapid, and Blitz.
This makes him one of only four players ever to achieve this.
Other top players include Magnus Carlsen, who is the best in all three formats, and Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja, who are also in the top 10 across formats.
Arjun is the highest-ranked Indian player in each format and the only Indian in the top 10 for Rapid and Blitz.
Arjun Erigaisi won bronze in both Rapid and Blitz categories at the 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Doha, Qatar.
He became only the fourth player to be ranked in the top-10 across Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats.
Arjun is currently ranked 5th in Classical, 3rd in Rapid, and 7th in Blitz in the latest FIDE ratings.
He is the highest-rated Indian player in each format and the only Indian in the top-10 for Rapid and Blitz.
Other top players in the elite list include Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Alireza Firouzja.
- Who
- Arjun Erigaisi, a 22-year-old Indian Grandmaster
- What
- Achieved top-10 rankings in Classical, Rapid, and Blitz chess formats
- When
- During the 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Championships (26-31 December 2025)
- Where
- Doha, Qatar
- Why
- Due to his stellar performance in the Rapid and Blitz categories, winning bronze in both
- Player
- Arjun Erigaisi
- Achievement
- Top-10 in Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats
- Current Rankings
- 5th (Classical), 3rd (Rapid), 7th (Blitz)
- Event
- 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Championships
- Location
- Doha, Qatar
- Date
- 26-31 December 2025
- Other Top Players
- Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja