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World Blitz 2025: India’s rising chess star Arjun Erigaisi delivered an outstanding and confident performance at the FIDE World Blitz Championship in Doha, placing himself among the tournament’s joint leaders after 11 intense rounds. His fearless style, sharp calculations, and ability to handle pressure against elite opponents have made his campaign one of the most talked-about stories of the championship so far. With nine points from eleven rounds, Erigaisi proved that he belongs at the very top level of global competitive chess.

A Strong Start in a Highly Competitive Field

The championship featured many of the world’s strongest grandmasters, making consistency a key factor. Arjun Erigaisi demonstrated remarkable stability from the opening rounds, winning games decisively while avoiding unnecessary risks. His performance stood out not just because of the points he accumulated, but also because of the quality of opponents he defeated. At this stage of the event, every half-point mattered, and Erigaisi managed to stay ahead of most of the field.

Alongside him at the top of the standings was French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who matched Erigaisi with nine points. The close contest at the summit ensured that the final rounds would be packed with drama and uncertainty.

Historic Wins Against Elite Opponents

One of the defining moments of Erigaisi’s tournament came in the ninth round, when he defeated defending champion Magnus Carlsen while playing with the Black pieces. Beating Carlsen in a blitz format is a rare achievement, and doing so under championship pressure highlighted Erigaisi’s maturity and preparation. He followed that up with another crucial victory in the tenth round against Uzbek grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov, further strengthening his position at the top.

These back-to-back wins gave Erigaisi a narrow lead and sent a clear message to the rest of the field. His aggressive yet controlled approach allowed him to dictate the pace of the games, forcing even the most experienced players to react.

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Tight Race Behind the Leaders

Just behind the joint leaders, several top players remained within striking distance. Daniil Dubov, Fabiano Caruana, and Yu Yangyi were all closely packed on 8.5 points, keeping the title race wide open. Magnus Carlsen, despite suffering a few unexpected setbacks, was still very much in contention with eight points. Alongside him were Alireza Firouzja and India’s Sunilduth Narayanan, all sharing the same score and eyeing a late surge.

The depth of competition meant that even a single mistake could significantly alter the standings. With two rounds still remaining at that stage, the pressure on the leaders was immense.

Mixed Results for Other Indian Grandmasters

Other Indian players also put up fighting performances in the tournament. R Praggnanandhaa and reigning classical world champion D Gukesh both finished the day with 7.5 points. Although slightly behind the leaders, their results reflected the growing strength of Indian chess on the global stage. A large group of players, numbering over twenty, were tied at the same position, underlining how closely matched the field was.

Momentum, Confidence, and the Road Ahead

Erigaisi’s form in Doha was not an isolated success. Throughout 2025, he has repeatedly challenged and defeated Magnus Carlsen across different formats, including classical events such as Norway Chess. His consistency against top-tier opposition shows a player who is rapidly evolving and gaining confidence with every major event.

After drawing his eleventh-round game against Fabiano Caruana, Erigaisi shared points but maintained his place at the top. With the remaining rounds scheduled to decide semifinalists and eventually the championship clash, every game ahead promised high tension and high-quality chess.

As the tournament moved into its final stages, Arjun Erigaisi stood as a symbol of India’s new generation of fearless grandmasters, capable of challenging legends and shaping the future of international chess.