Arjun Erigaisi Bows Out In World Blitz Championships Semifinals, Claims Bronze

Arjun Erigaisi and Vishy Anand in action (Photo: IA Alon Shulman)

Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi faced a heartbreaking semifinal defeat to top Uzbek player Nodirbek Abdusattorov, settling for a bronze medal on a day when defending champion Magnus Carlsen made a brilliant comeback to reach the final in the World Blitz Championship on Tuesday.

Carlsen, an eight-time world blitz champion, set up a title showdown with Abdusattorov after defeating American Fabiano Caruana 3-1 in the other semifinal.

Erigaisi, 22, can take pride in returning home with two World bronze medals—in rapid and blitz—an accomplishment achieved by very few players globally.

The Indian ace excelled on day two of the qualification rounds. After defeating prominent players like Carlsen and Abdusattorov on the opening day, Monday, to become the sole leader with 10 points from 13 games, Erigaisi continued with determination through the remaining six rounds on day two.

He won four rounds and drew two, maintaining his lead with 15 points and bagging a place in the knockouts.

Erigaisi was matched against the 2021 World Rapid champion Abdusattorov, who barely edged out Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave for a spot in the last-four by the narrowest margin, both ending with 13 points and Abdusattorov advancing on the ‘best tie-break’ rule.

Considering Erigaisi’s superb form and his previous win against Abdusattorov, the Indian was expected to push forward. However, the semifinal took a tough turn for Erigaisi, who lost 2.5-0.

He couldn’t capitalise on the white advantage in the opening game, losing in 47 moves to fall behind 0-1.

A revitalised Abdusattorov turned the tide by playing ‘Rc5’ on the 75th move in the second match, concluding it in 83 moves.

Needing only half a point to secure his place in the final, Abdusattorov opted for a quick draw with the black pieces in 33 moves despite being in a winning position, making the fourth game irrelevant.

(With PTI Inputs)