Arjun Erigaisi has emerged as one of the brightest stars in world chess, part of a golden generation of young Indian grandmasters that has reshaped the global chess landscape. Known for his fearless, unpredictable playing style, which even Magnus Carlsen has nicknamed “the Mad Man” of chess, Arjun became only the second Indian in history, after Viswanathan Anand, to cross the legendary 2800 FIDE rating mark.
This article covers everything about Arjun Erigaisi, including his age, height, family background, education, career journey, achievements and net worth.
Who Is Arjun Erigaisi
Arjun Erigaisi is an Indian chess grandmaster who became India’s top rated player in September 2024. In December 2024, he achieved a peak FIDE rating of 2801, making him the fifteenth highest rated player in the history of chess. He won double bronze at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships in 2025, becoming the first Indian to reach the podium at both events since Viswanathan Anand. He is also part of the Indian team that won gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest.
Arjun Erigaisi Age
Arjun Erigaisi was born on September 3, 2003, in Warangal, Telangana. This makes him around 22 years old as of 2026. His zodiac sign is Virgo.
Arjun Erigaisi Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Precise height and weight figures for Arjun Erigaisi are not officially confirmed, since these details are rarely disclosed by professional chess players. Some online profiles list his height at around 5 feet 5 inches, or approximately 161 centimeters, though this figure has not been verified through an official source and should be treated as an estimate. He has a slim build and a calm, understated public presence that stands in contrast to his famously bold and aggressive style at the board.
Early Life and Family
Arjun Erigaisi was born into a Telugu family in Warangal, Telangana. His father, Dr. E. Srinivas Rao, is a practicing neurosurgeon, and his mother, E. Jyothi, is a homemaker. He has a sister named Keerthana. Arjun first encountered chess around the age of five, when a school teacher in Tirupati noticed his sharp, attentive nature and suggested he give the game a try. He did not begin serious, structured training until a few years later, when his father enrolled him at the Race Academy in Kothapet, Hyderabad, at the age of eleven in 2015.
Arjun Erigaisi Education
Arjun Erigaisi attended Shine High School in Hanamkonda, Telangana, for his schooling. He later enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in data science but dropped out of college during his second year in order to focus entirely on his rapidly progressing chess career. This decision mirrors a familiar pattern among elite young chess players, where formal education is often set aside once tournament schedules and international travel begin to demand full time commitment.
Career Journey
Arjun Erigaisi’s competitive career began with age group tournaments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including a runner up finish at the under 9 state selection tournament in 2011. He won gold medals at the under 11 state selections in 2012 and the under 13 national championship in Ahmedabad in 2014, before winning a silver medal at the 2015 Asian Youth Championship in Korea. In 2017, he finished runner up at the under 14 World Youth Chess Championship and earned his International Master title the same year.
In 2018, Arjun achieved all three grandmaster norms within a span of just four months, earning the GM title at the age of 14 years, 11 months and 13 days at the Abu Dhabi Chess Masters, becoming the first grandmaster from the state of Telangana and India’s 54th grandmaster overall. Around this period, he began training under Israeli grandmaster Victor Mikhalevski, later relocating his training base to Chennai to work with renowned coach R.B. Ramesh, a move that placed him among the country’s most promising young talents.
The year 2022 marked a major breakthrough. Arjun won the Tata Steel Challengers event in January, was crowned India’s National Champion in March, and won the 19th Delhi Open the same month. He went on to win the Junior Speed Chess Championship in June and the prestigious Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in August with a performance rating of 2893. That same year, he signed a five year sponsorship deal with Quantbox Research reported to be worth around 12.4 crore rupees, one of the largest sponsorship agreements in Indian chess history at the time.
Arjun’s rise continued through 2023 and 2024. He reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIDE World Cup, losing a tense tiebreak to close friend and countryman Praggnanandhaa. In June 2024, he climbed to fourth in the live FIDE rankings, and in September 2024, he helped India win gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, scoring 10 out of 11 on board three. By September 2024, he had become India’s top rated player, surpassing Viswanathan Anand, and in December 2024 he crossed the 2800 rating mark for the first time, joining an elite club that includes Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura.
In 2025, Arjun added to his growing legacy by winning double bronze medals at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships, becoming the first Indian player since Viswanathan Anand to podium at both events. Earlier that year, in February 2025, he became the first major chess star to sign with an esports organization, joining Gen.G Esports ahead of chess’s debut at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a deal that ran through the tournament. In 2026, he tied for first place with Magnus Carlsen after the classical portion of the TePe Sigeman Chess Tournament, ultimately finishing runner up after losing the blitz tiebreaks.
Achievements
Arjun Erigaisi’s list of achievements includes a peak FIDE rating of 2801, making him the fifteenth highest rated player in chess history and the second Indian ever to cross 2800 after Viswanathan Anand. He is India’s National Chess Champion, a gold medallist with the Indian team at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, a double bronze medallist at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships, and the youngest grandmaster in Telangana’s history. He has also won prestigious tournaments including the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, the Tata Steel Challengers, and multiple national and international rapid and blitz titles. He was named Chess Player of the Year at the Times of India Sports Awards in 2021 and won the Sportstar Emerging Hero award in 2023.
Arjun Erigaisi Net Worth
Arjun Erigaisi’s net worth is estimated to be around 1.5 million US dollars, roughly equivalent to 12 to 13 crore rupees. A significant part of this comes from his five year sponsorship deal with Quantbox Research, signed in 2022, along with tournament prize money and additional endorsements. Since these figures are not officially disclosed by Arjun himself, they should be treated as estimates based on industry reporting rather than confirmed numbers.
Social Media Profile
Arjun Erigaisi is active on Instagram under the verified handle @arjun_erigaisi, where he has built a following of nearly 100,000 people and regularly shares updates from his tournaments and training. He is also present on X, formerly Twitter, under the handle @ArjunErigaisi, where he engages with fans and shares his thoughts on major chess milestones and events. Fans should be cautious of unofficial accounts using similar names, since the handles listed above are his confirmed official profiles.
Arjun Erigaisi Girlfriend and personal life
Arjun Erigaisi keeps his personal life largely private and has not publicly confirmed any relationship or marriage. He was named after the Mahabharata hero Arjuna, a name chosen by his grandmother, reflecting the cultural influences of his upbringing. Outside of chess, his hobbies include table tennis and badminton, and he follows a structured fitness routine that includes morning walks and roughly an hour of additional sports activity, along with a disciplined diet at home, though he relaxes this routine somewhat while traveling for tournaments. He currently represents Gen.G Esports, having become the first major chess star to sign with an esports organization in February 2025. Arjun has also been associated with social causes such as the Save Soil movement, and in 2018, at the age of just 14, he contributed 50,000 rupees to relief efforts for flood victims in Kerala.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Arjun Erigaisi?
Arjun Erigaisi was born on September 3, 2003, which makes him around 22 years old as of 2026.
What is Arjun Erigaisi’s height?
His exact height is not officially confirmed, though some sources estimate it at around 5 feet 5 inches.
Who are Arjun Erigaisi’s parents?
His father, Dr. E. Srinivas Rao, is a neurosurgeon, and his mother, E. Jyothi, is a homemaker. He also has a sister named Keerthana.
When did Arjun Erigaisi become a grandmaster?
He earned the grandmaster title in August 2018 at the age of 14 years, 11 months and 13 days.
What is Arjun Erigaisi’s peak FIDE rating?
His peak FIDE rating is 2801, achieved in December 2024, making him the fifteenth highest rated player in chess history.
What is Arjun Erigaisi’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated to be around 1.5 million US dollars, built largely through a sponsorship deal with Quantbox Research and tournament earnings.
Where is Arjun Erigaisi from?
He is from Warangal, Telangana, India.
Which esports organization does Arjun Erigaisi play for?
He signed with Gen.G Esports in February 2025, becoming the first major chess star to join an esports organization.
Is Arjun Erigaisi married?
No, Arjun Erigaisi is currently unmarried and keeps his personal life largely private.
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