Magnus Carlsen names Arjun Erigaisi among top contenders for World Rapid Championship 2024

Magnus Carlsen has named Arjun Erigaisi as one of his top 5 competitors for the upcoming FIDE World Rapid Championship in New York. Carlsen will be looking to defend both the rapid and blitz titles that he secured in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2023. 

In an interview with Take Take Take, Carlsen was asked to name his top 5 competitors for the title in New York. He pinpointed USA’s Hikaru Nakamura, France’s Alireza Firouzja, USA’s Fabiano Caruana, Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Erigaisi as those who could provide competition this year.

Later, he also mentioned Nakamura and Firouzja as the main competitors for the World Blitz Championships, saying, “clearly it’s Hikaru, Alireza, and then everyone else.” He also noted that Nakamura is especially strong in the blitz format, being tough to defeat in mini-matches. 

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The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships will be taking place from December 26 to December 31 in Wall Street, New York. The World Rapid Championship will be from December 26 to December 29, while the World Blitz Championship will be on December 30 and December 31.

A host of Indian names including Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggananandhaa, Humpy Koneru, and Harika Dronavalli will be in action. 

CARLSEN’S TOP CONTENDERS FOR WORLD RAPID & BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP 2024