With 11 of the country’s 72 Grandmasters (GMs) aged below 21, India has a bright future in chess. Six of the top 20 junior players in the world belong to India. GM Arjun Erigaisi from Telangana is also likely to quickly cross the coveted 2700 ELO rating mark, traditionally termed the Super GM mark. It is a recognition of this fact that has led to India being chosen to host the 44th international Chess Olympiad in Chennai in July/August this year
Indian juniors rule the roost
Of the Top 20 junior chess players (aged 20 and below), six are Indian GMs in the latest 2700chess.com live ratings list. GM Arjun Erigaisi was ranked third overall with a Live ELO rating of 2674.4. He is behind Iranian-born GM Alireza Firouzja (the 18-year-old now represents France) with a rating of 2804 and 20-year-old Russian GM Andrey Esipenko with a rating of 2717.9. Leon Mendonca, 16, from Goa was the newest addition from India to the list
