- Arjun Erigaisi overtakes Fabiano Caruana to reclaim world No. 4.
- Aravindh Chithambaram jumps 11 places to world No. 11 after Prague Masters victory.
- Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura remain the only players in the 2800 club.
Arjun Erigaisi continues his impressive rise in the chess world, reclaiming the fourth spot in the FIDE rankings after strong performances in the Chess Bundesliga. His consistency, coupled with Caruana’s loss to Nakamura in The American Cup, allowed him to move ahead of the American grandmaster.
However, the most remarkable story of this month’s rankings is Aravindh Chithambaram’s leap to world No. 11. The Indian grandmaster dominated the Prague Masters, finishing ahead of strong contenders like Anish Giri, Wei Yi, and Praggnanandhaa.
Aravindh Chithambaram’s Meteoric Rise in Chess Rankings
Arjun Erigaisi’s return to the world’s top four reaffirms his ability to compete at the highest level. His victories over Jergus Pechac and Valery Kazakouski in the Chess Bundesliga added crucial points to his tally. With Caruana slipping after a tough loss to Nakamura, Arjun capitalized on the opportunity to regain his position. His rapid development highlights the increasing presence of Indian grandmasters in the elite circuit.
Aravindh Chithambaram’s progress, however, is even more impressive. A former child prodigy, he has taken his game to the next level in his mid-twenties. His commanding performance at the Prague Masters not only secured him the title but also propelled him into the FIDE Circuit’s top three. His steady climb up the rankings demonstrates his growing confidence and ability to handle high-stakes tournaments.
Elsewhere in the chess world, the European Individual Championship saw significant rating shifts. While players like Matthias Bluebaum, Frederik Svane, and Maxim Rodshtein made major gains. Pre-tournament favorites such as Bogdan-Daniel Deac and Alexey Sarana struggled, suffering notable rating losses. The fiercely competitive nature of the event proved how volatile the rankings can be.
With Magnus Carlsen remaining the undisputed No. 1, and Nakamura firmly securing his No. 2 spot, the battle for the next few positions remains intense. Arjun’s resurgence and Aravindh’s rapid ascent indicate that the chess landscape is evolving. New challengers are emerging to shake up the traditional hierarchy.
Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram’s successes highlight India’s growing dominance in the chess world. With both players in top form, a spot in the world’s top 10 for Aravindh might just be around the corner.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” – Tim Notke
