Chennai Grand Masters 2026 Round Three: Erigaisi Overcomes Niemann, Moves to Solo Runner‑Up

Round three of the Chennai Grand Masters 2026 saw a pivotal clash between India’s Arjun Erigaisi and the United States’ Hans Niemann. Erigaisi’s strategic play in the middlegame allowed him to tighten the pressure, eventually trapping Niemann’s king from all sides. The German‑American grandmaster conceded after 43 moves, handing Erigaisi a vital victory. The win placed the Indian GM at the top of the second‑place standings with two points, trailing only half a point behind the tournament leader, GM Alireja Firoja. The competition continues with eight grandmasters battling for a ₹7.5 million prize fund and valuable FIDE circuit points.