New York here I come: Arjun Erigaisi gets US visa clearance ahead of championship-OxBig News Network

Indian chess Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has successfully secured his US visa clearance, bringing an end to a tense few days of uncertainty. The 21-year-old, who had made an urgent plea on social media for expedited processing, is now all set to travel to New York for the prestigious World Rapid and Blitz Championship, scheduled from December 26 to 31.

Arjun’s situation gained widespread attention when he took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his predicament. He revealed that his passport had been submitted for visa stamping on December 13 after completing his biometrics and visa interview in late November. The delay stemmed from his prior participation in the Qatar Masters Open earlier this month, which had made it challenging for him to complete visa formalities earlier.

Arjun Erigaisi gets US visa clearance

Highlighting the importance of this tournament, Arjun emphasised that a strong performance in the World Rapid and Blitz Championship could significantly boost his chances of qualifying for the next Candidates Tournament, a crucial step toward vying for the World Chess Championship title. Currently, he is in a close contest with Fabiano Caruana for a spot in the Candidates, with Arjun holding 124.40 points compared to Caruana’s 130.42.

Arjun’s plea for assistance received a wave of support from various quarters, including the US Embassy in India, the Ministry of External Affairs, sports bodies, journalists, and prominent individuals such as Anand Mahindra. In his message of gratitude following the visa clearance, Arjun expressed his heartfelt thanks to all who helped expedite the process, ensuring he could compete on the global stage.

2024 was a landmark year for Arjun. He broke the 2800 ELO rating barrier, climbed to fourth in the FIDE rankings, and played a pivotal role in India’s historic triumph at the FIDE Olympiad. With his visa concerns now resolved, Arjun is focused on continuing his stellar form and making the country proud.