NEW DELHI: Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi is facing significant challenges ahead of the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship, scheduled to take place in New York City from December 26 to 31, 2024. The 21-year-old chess prodigy has encountered delays in obtaining his U.S. visa, prompting him to appeal to the U.S. Embassy for expedited processing.
Erigaisi submitted his passport for visa stamping on December 13, 2024, in preparation for the upcoming championship. However, as of December 20, he has yet to receive his passport back, causing considerable concern given the proximity of the tournament. In a public plea on social media, Erigaisi requested the U.S. Embassy to expedite the visa process, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
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The World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship is a prestigious event that attracts top chess players from around the globe. This year’s tournament is particularly notable as it marks the first time the championship is being held in the United States. The competition offers a combined prize fund of nearly $1.5 million and features a revamped format, including a knockout component in the blitz format. Renowned players such as Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and Hikaru Nakamura are among the participants.
Erigaisi has been a rising star in the chess world, recently becoming only the second Indian, after five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, to surpass the 2800 mark in Elo ratings. He also secured individual and team gold medals at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. His participation in the World Rapid and Blitz Championship is crucial, as a strong performance could enhance his prospects for future tournaments, including the Candidates Tournament.
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In his social media post, Erigaisi tagged Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking their assistance in resolving the visa delay. He expressed his need for the passport to travel to New York for the championship, highlighting the importance of timely processing.
