Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi clinched the Jerusalem Masters 2025 crown defeating former world champion Viswanathan Anand in a high-stakes all-Indian final to cap a dramatic run at the elite invitational event.
In a significant boost for Israeli chess, the Jerusalem Masters marked the return of top-tier international competition to the country after a long hiatus. Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand headlined the field, joined by India’s top-ranked player Arjun Erigaisi, helping draw global attention to the tournament. Held from November 30 to December 3, the rapid-format event featured a powerful lineup including two-time World Championship finalist Ian Nepomniachtchi, former World Cup winner Peter Svidler, and Vladimir Fedoseev, forming a formidable international roster.
Thrilling final decided in blitz
After the first two rapid games ended in draws, Erigaisi seized the advantage in the first blitz game with the white pieces. Holding a winning position in the second blitz game, he opted for a pragmatic draw to secure the match — enough to seal the title and a prize of USD 55,000.
“It wasn’t easy. There were a lot of challenges. My quality wasn’t the best. I’m just glad I managed to make it through. Today, both the matches were very tense,” Arjun said after the victory.
“In the first game we both missed our chances. But in blitz, I think I played quite well.”
Road to the final
Erigaisi reached the summit clash by overcoming Russian veteran Peter Svidler in the semifinals, while Anand booked his spot by defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi. Both Indian stars won their semifinal battles in the second rapid game.
In the third-place playoff, Svidler edged Nepomniachtchi 2.5–1.5, clinching victory in the second blitz game. Earlier, Svidler topped the round-robin preliminaries with an impressive 8/11, while Anand, Erigaisi, and Nepomniachtchi finished joint second on 7.5/11.
Redemption for Arjun
The triumph comes weeks after Arjun’s heartbreak at the FIDE World Cup in Goa, where he was beaten by China’s Wei Yi in the quarter-finals — his second consecutive exit at that stage, costing him another chance to qualify for the Candidates Tournament, his long-term ambition. The Warangal-born star described the Jerusalem win as a much-needed confidence boost.
Event significance
The tournament was organized by the Israel Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Jerusalem Municipality, and the Israel Chess Association, aiming to re-establish Israel as a host for premier international chess amid global conversations surrounding discrimination faced by Israeli players due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
A landmark win
For Arjun, currently India’s No. 1, the victory serves as a major milestone and reinforces his status among the world’s most exciting young talents.
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