Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi secured his US visa, enabling him to participate in the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York. The tournament commences on December 26th.
Erigaisi, currently ranked world No. 4, had previously appealed to the US Embassy for expedited visa processing. He needed the visa to compete against a formidable field, including Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Boris Gelfand.
“I have received the US Visa! I am honestly overwhelmed and very grateful for so much positive response to my situation,” Erigaisi shared on his ‘X’ handle.
Erigaisi expressed his gratitude to various entities for their support in securing his visa. He acknowledged the US Embassy in India, the US Mission in India, the Ministry of External Affairs, India, Anand Mahindra, Nitin Narang, the All India Chess Federation, the Sports Authority of India, FIDE, US Chess, QuestBridge Research, MGD1 eSports, journalists, and numerous well-wishers.
“Thank you to the @USAndIndia & @USAmbIndia for the quick turn around! Thank you @MEAIndia @anandmahindra @narangnitin @aicfchess @IndiaSports @FIDE_chess @USChess @QBResearch @mgd1_esports journalists and many other well wishers who went out of their way to make this happen.”
Erigaisi shared his aspirations for the upcoming tournament. He conveyed his hope to make everyone proud.
“I hope to make all of you and our country proud of my achievements. New York here I come,” he added.
Erigaisi’s earlier plea for assistance was made public via social media. He reached out to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and the All India Chess Federation (AICF) for help in obtaining his visa.
“@USAndIndia Last week I submitted my passport to you for visa stamping and it still has not been returned. I request you to please expedite the process and return my passport as soon as possible as I need it for my travel to New York for World Rapid & Blitz Championship,” he had written on ‘X’.
Erigaisi added a further request for assistance.
“If anyone can help me with this please DM.”
Erigaisi recently achieved a significant milestone in his chess career. He became the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to attain an ELO rating of 2800.
Erigaisi has demonstrated exceptional form throughout the year. He secured an individual gold medal and contributed to India’s historic team title win at the Chess Olympiad.
The World Rapid and Blitz Championship will feature a strong lineup of players. Participants include Hikaru Nakamura, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, Jeffrey Xiong, Leinier Dominguez Perez, Hans Niemann, and Sam Shankland.