Arjun Erigaisi replaces Gukesh as India No. 2 in live ratings

Arjun reached a career-high live rating of 2726 and overtaking D. Gukesh after the second round of Dubai Open chess tournament.

FILE PHOTO: Arjun Erigaisi

Firmly on the upward swing, Arjun Erigaisi moved to the second place in Indian rankings for the first time by reaching a career-high live rating of 2726 and overtaking D. Gukesh after the second round of Dubai Open chess tournament in Dubai on Sunday.

Arjun, seeded two, defeated compatriot Nitish Belurkar to be among the 29 leaders, including 17 Indians. The victory earned Arjun 1.7 rating points and saw him replace Gukesh (2725) as the world’s 23rd ranked player in the live list.

Meanwhile, fourth seed R. Praggnanandhaa defeated Dushyant Sharma to move to the 61st place in live rankings at 2678.

Leading results (Indians unless stated):

Second round

Basheer Al Quadaimi (Yem, 1) lost to Alexandr Predke (FIDE, 2); Arjun Erigaisi (2) bt Nitish Belurkar (1); Mukhiddin Madaminov (Uzb, 1.5) drew with Amin Tabatabaei (Iri, 1.5); R. Praggnanandhaa (2) bt Dushyant Sharma (1); Arad Nazari (Iri, 1) lost to Abhijeet Gupta (2); S. P. Sethuraman (2) bt Meruert Kamalidenova (Kaz, 1); Raunak Sadhwani (2) bt Sammed Shete (1); R. R. Laxman (1) lost to Vladimir Akopean (USA, 2); Rinat Jumabayev (Kaz, 2) bt Vantika Agrawal (1); Aziz Husain (Qat, 1) lost to Aravindh Chithambaram (2); Ajay Krishna (1) lost to Aram Hakobyan (Arm, 2); Temur Kuybokarov (Aus) lost to Rohith Krishna (2); Harsha Bharathakoti (1.5) drew with Tanmay Chopra (1.5); Raahil Mullick (1.5) drew with P. Iniyan (1.5).