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Arjun Erigaisi wins World Rapid Chess C’ship Bronze, becomes first Indian since Anand; Humpy bags Bronze

Statesman News Service

Arjun Erigaisi and Koneru Humpy claim bronze medals as Magnus Carlsen and Alexandra Goryachkina bag men's and women's titles in 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Women’s World Rapid Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday. (Photo credit: FIDE/IANS)


India’s Arjun Erigaisi and Koneru Humpy clinched bronze medals in the men’s and women’s sections, respectively, at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Women’s World Rapid Championships, held in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday. With this podium finish, Erigaisi became the only Indian male player since Viswanathan Anand to win a medal at the World Rapid Championship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Erigaisi on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:

“Proud of Arjun Erigaisi for winning the Bronze medal in the open section at the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha. His grit is noteworthy. Wishing him the very best for his future endeavours.”

The PM also shared an X post, praising and congratulating Humpy:

“Congratulations to Koneru Humpy, who finished strongly at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha, securing the Bronze medal in the women’s section. Her dedication towards the game is commendable. Best wishes for the endeavours ahead.”

 

 

Congratulating Erigaisi on his achievement, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu took to X and wrote:

“Congratulations to Arjun Erigaisi on winning the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship. His podium finish makes him the only Indian male player to achieve this feat since Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand. A son of Telangana, Arjun has added another chapter of pride to India’s illustrious chess legacy.”


CM also congratulated Koneru Humpy on winning the bronze medal:

“Congratulations to Ms Koneru Humpy on winning the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship. Champions are not defined by one result, but by the courage to compete at the highest level, again and again. A bronze on the world stage reflects true excellence. Your journey, consistency, and the pride you bring to India inspire millions,” the Chief Minister wrote on X.


World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and Russia’s Alexandra Goryachkina claimed the titles in the men’s and women’s events, respectively.

Carlsen secured his sixth World Rapid title, finishing clear at the top with 10.5 points from 13 rounds. Vladislav Artemiev, Arjun Erigaisi, Hans Moke Niemann, and Leinier Dominguez Perez finished tied for second on 9.5 points, with the final standings decided by tie-breaks.

Erigaisi’s tally included a crucial win over Aleksandr Shimanov on the fourth board, which proved decisive in his medal finish. Artemiev claimed silver with a superior TB1 score of 105.5, while Erigaisi’s TB1 score of 98 placed him third and earned him the bronze. Niemann (97.5) and Dominguez (95.5) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Among the other Indian participants, Aravindh Chithambaram finished 16th with 8.5 points, followed by Nihal Sarin (19th), Dommaraju Gukesh (20th), and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who ended 28th, all tied on 8.5 points.

In the final round, Carlsen drew with Anish Giri, while Artemiev shared the point with Wesley So of the United States on the second board.

In the Women’s World Rapid Championship, Koneru Humpy finished tied at the top with eventual champion Aleksandra Goryachkina and China’s Zhu Jiner, with 8.5 points from 11 rounds. The title was decided in a blitz playoff, where Goryachkina defeated Zhu 1.5–0.5 to claim her maiden World Rapid crown.

The 38-year-old Humpy, who had earlier won gold at the World Rapid Championship in 2019 and 2024, settled for the bronze medal on tie-breaks. In the final round, she was held to a draw by compatriot B. Savita Shri, who finished on eight points, tied for fourth with fellow Indian R. Vaishali and Ekaterina Atalik of Turkey. Atalik had also held Goryachkina to a draw on the top board.

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