No Arjun Erigaisi at the World Rapid & Blitz?

World No. 4 Arjun Erigaisi is facing last-minute obstacles with the US Embassy in India which might result in the Indian not being able to travel to New York for the World Rapid & Blitz!

Arjun took to Instagram Stories to share his concerns with how he had still not received his passport back the Embassy which he had submitted to the US Embassy India for Visa stamping. Arjun pleaded for help from his followers and the following handles he tagged in the story, External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar, All India Chess Federation (AICF), Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Sports Government of India.

This isn’t the first instance at which a top Indian chess player has struggled with Visa grants. Many Indians including GM Vidit Gujrathi have had a difficult time with the US Embassy India. Vidit, who has notably faced the most troubles out of all the top Indian Chess players found himself in a similar situation two years ago when he was about to travel to the United States for a Saint Louis Invitational (Fall Chess Classic). 2 years later, many of the Indian players found themselves anxiously waiting for their Visas a month before Candidates 2024 set to take place in Toronto.

With only 4 more days to go for the commencement of World Rapid and Blitz Championships, the highest ranked player of arguably the biggest chess playing nation doesn’t have his stamped passport, and has to put out a desperate plea. Besides it being a World Championship Title event, Erigaisi’s FIDE Circuit dream also stands on this trip to New York. Will Arjun make it?

The absence of Vidit Gujrathi and Nihal Sarin (India #4 in Rapid and Blitz) from the starting ranks is also being speculated to be because of Visa troubles. We still might be able to witness last-minute entries after last-minute Visa approvals but here’s how the Indian Contingent looks for now with notable absentees:

Follow the the participation and results of FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships here