New Bharat TV
File image of Arjuna Erigaceae.© X (Twitter)
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaysi heaved a sigh of relief after receiving his US visa to compete in the upcoming World Rapid and Blitz Championships starting in New York from December 26. The world number four Indian had on Friday appealed to the US Embassy to expedite the process. Providing him with the necessary visa to participate in the tournament, which will feature top players such as Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Boris Gelfand.
“I have received a US visa! I am honestly overwhelmed and so grateful for such a positive response to my situation,” Erigassy wrote on her 'X' handle.
He said, “I hope that all of you and our country will be proud of my accomplishments. I have come to New York.”
On Friday, Erigasi had contacted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and the All India Chess Federation (AICF) through social media and requested their assistance in securing the visa.
“Last week I submitted my passport to you for visa stamping and it has still not been returned. I request you to please expedite the process and return my passport as soon as possible as I need to avail the World Rapid Need this for a trip to New York for the Blitz Championships,'' he wrote on 'X'.
“If anyone can help me with this please DM.” Erigaysi, who recently became the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to achieve the gold-standard ELO rating of 2800, has been in sensational form this year. He won the individual gold as well as the team title in India's historic performance at the Chess Olympiad.
Prominent players competing in the championship are Hikaru Nakamura, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, Jeffrey Xiong, Leinier Dominguez Pérez, Hans Niemann and Sam Shankland.
Please switch to dark mode to save the world – Turn pixel off to save energy.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings