Erigaisi’s Grand Slam Dream Shattered: Aronian Marches to Finals
Arjun Erigaisi’s impressive run at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam came to an abrupt end on July 19, 2025, after a decisive 0-2 defeat against Levon Aronian in the semifinals. The young Indian Grandmaster, despite his recent successes, couldn’t overcome Aronian’s superior strategy.
Aronian will now face Hans Niemann in the finals, a match that promises to be a thrilling encounter. Niemann secured his place after navigating his own semifinal clash successfully.
Meanwhile, in the 3rd-8th place playoffs, India’s Praggnanandhaa and chess legend Magnus Carlsen emerged victorious in their respective matches. Other notable wins in the playoffs went to Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So.
This Grand Slam tournament showcased both the rising talent and established dominance in the world of chess. Erigaisi’s performance, while ending short of the final, highlights the growing strength of Indian chess on the global stage. His future remains bright, and this setback will undoubtedly serve as a valuable learning experience for the young prodigy. The upcoming generation of Indian chess players is certainly one to watch.
