At the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Arjun Erigaisi, often referred to as the “Mad Man of the Chess Board,” showcased his brilliance once again. India’s top player lived up to his reputation with a fearless performance in the second-round match against Iceland’s Hannes Stefansson. This match, which saw Arjun deliver a dazzling, no-holds-barred chess game, was a key moment for Team India in the Olympiad.
The encounter became an instant spectacle when Stefansson, a grandmaster rated 2471, found himself in a bizarre position. As he stared at the board, he couldn’t believe the chaotic scenario his opponent had created. Three of Stefansson’s pawns stood in a straight line on the e-file—an anomaly in high-level chess where even doubled pawns are seen as a disadvantage, let alone tripled pawns. But it was all part of Arjun’s brilliant strategy, one that came at the cost of two knights. Despite sacrificing significant material, Arjun had seized control of the game.
The young Indian grandmaster had initiated his attack early, launching his h-pawn as early as the 10th move, aggressively targeting Stefansson’s king. By the 16th move, Arjun had secured a decisive advantage on the evaluation bar, with every move tightening the noose around Stefansson’s defense. True to his nickname, bestowed upon him by Magnus Carlsen, Arjun turned the chaos into a flawless victory, giving India a crucial 1-0 lead in their match against Iceland.
India’s momentum only grew from there. Gukesh, another rising star in Indian chess, quickly followed suit by defeating grandmaster Vignir Vatnar Stefansson, rated 2531, adding to India’s lead. Vidit Gujrathi took down international master Hilmir Freyr Heimisson (rated 2391), while Harikrishna, India’s seasoned campaigner, ground out a win in his game to complete a clean 4-0 sweep over Iceland.
This comprehensive win in the second round not only secured two valuable game points for India but also demonstrated the depth and strength of the Indian chess team. Notably, India rested young sensation Praggnanandhaa in this round, showing confidence in the team’s balance and ability to perform across the board.
Arjun’s performance in this match serves as another reminder of his fearless and unorthodox style of play, a style that continues to leave opponents bewildered and fans in awe. With his ability to thrive in chaotic positions and his aggressive approach to the game, Arjun Erigaisi has become a cornerstone of India’s chess success.
As India moves forward in the Olympiad, all eyes will remain on the 20-year-old grandmaster who has proven time and again that he is not afraid to break the norms of conventional chess to secure victory for his team.
