Arjun Erigaisi Faces Epic Showdown at Chennai Grandmasters

The third edition of the Chennai Grandmasters chess tournament, kicking off on August 4, 2025, promises a thrilling clash as India’s No. 1, Arjun Erigaisi, squares off against formidable opponents, including compatriot Vidit Gujrathi and Netherlands’ chess titan Anish Giri. Held in Chennai, this expanded tournament, now spanning nine rounds in a classical round-robin format, features 19 Grandmasters vying for a Rs 1 crore winner’s purse and crucial FIDE Circuit points, key to qualifying for the 2026 Candidates Tournament—a path previously paved for world champion D Gukesh.

Erigaisi, a member of the elite 2800 FIDE rating club, faces stiff competition from rising star Nihal Sarin and Germany’s 20-year-old Vincent Keymer, who supported Gukesh in last year’s World Championship. Giri’s super-solid style and vast experience make him a top contender, while India’s Pranav V and Karthikeyan Murali are poised to deliver stunning upsets.

The tournament’s new 20-player structure splits into Masters and Challengers sections, with the Challengers winner securing a spot in the 2026 Masters. The Challengers field shines with talents like D Harika, part of India’s gold-winning women’s team at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, alongside R Vaishali, Harshvardhan GB, and the aggressive Grandmaster Adhiban Baskaran. Abhimanyu Puranik also adds firepower to the lineup.

Also Read: India’s Young Guns Conquer England

With its increased scope and high stakes, the Chennai Grandmasters 2025 is set to showcase intense battles and emerging stars, cementing its status as a pivotal event in the global chess calendar. Fans eagerly await whether Erigaisi can outmaneuver his rivals to claim the prestigious title.

Also Read: Siraj's Redemption: Heroics Seal India’s Oval Thriller