Arjun Erigaisi’s US travel for World Rapid and Blitz C’ship delayed due to visa issues; Grandmaster issues plea

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi launched a plea, asking the US Embassy to look into the matter and “expedite the process.”

Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi is in big limbo. He has been left high and dry ahead of the upcoming World Rapid and Blitz Championship in New York. The 21-year-old is still waiting for his visa, and he has now taken to social media to launch a plea, asking the US Embassy to look into the matter and “expedite the process.”

In his post, Erigaisi also tagged Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, asking them for help.

The World Rapid and Blitz Championship is slated to be held in New York from December 26-31. The tournament will also feature chess stars such as Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Boris Gelfand.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Arjun Erigaisi wrote, “Last week, I submitted my passport to you (US Embassy) for visa stamping, and it still has not been returned. I request you to please expedite the process and return my passport as soon as possible, as I need it for my travel to New York for the World Rapid & Blitz Championship.”

For the uninitiated, Arjun Erigaisi is looking to secure a spot at the next edition of the Candidates tournament. He is currently in a two-way race with USA’s Fabiano Caruana.

The Candidates is an eight-player event to find a challenger to Gukesh Dommaraju at the next World Chess Championship.

Arjun Erigaisi stated that he had submitted his passport for visa stamping on December 13, 2024.

“My appointment was initially scheduled for December 3. I was not planning to play in Qatar because of this. Then we got to know that it’s possible to pre-pone the appointment. Biometrics was done on November 26, and the visa interview a few days after that. After it was done, I left for Qatar. And when I returned from there, I submitted my passport to the US Embassy,” Arjun told The Indian Express.

2800 mark in the Elo rating
Erigaisi recently became only the second Indian, after five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, to surpass the 2800 mark in Elo ratings.

He also won an individual and team gold medal at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

“It’s the World Rapid and Blitz Championship. It’s still a World Championship. Very prestigious. If I do well there, I will have the chance to qualify for the Candidates tournament,” Arjun said.

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Are you a beach person? This winter, travel to these gorgeous coastal destinations in India
Beat the winter chill by heading over to these coastal places that are perfect for all your ‘beach person’ needs.

Winter is not everyone’s cup of tea. Snuggling in warm blankets and sipping on hot beverages may not appeal to the ‘beach people’. These are the people who ardently crave sunny days, sand under their feet, and waves lapping at their toes. This winter, escape to coastal destinations and enjoy a quaint cold season basking under the sun. Here are some coastal places you can visit to take a break from the bitter winter and embrace all things sweet and sunny.

Puducherry’s lovely French colonial charm will sweep you off your feet! The winter months bring pleasant and soothing weather, making it the perfect time to explore this amazing, coastal gem. Stroll or cycle through its quaint streets and marvel at the beautiful colonial architecture adorned with vibrant colours and bougainvillea-lined walls. Head over to Paradise Beach and relax. If you’re looking for a breather that blends the beautiful aesthetics of old-world charm with the serenity of pristine beaches, Puducherry is your go-to place. Don’t forget to try their dishes that have both a French and South Indian touch.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands
No Indian tropical vacation list is complete without the mention of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This ultimate destination is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts with a myriad of activities like snorkelling, and scuba diving to admire the marine underwater life. If adventure isn’t your style, simply chill and admire the beauty of the azure ocean and lush greenery from the comfort of your hammock. Don’t miss the chance to go island hopping and discover hidden gems like Havelock Island, Neil Island, and Ross Island, each treasuring breathtaking beaches. Try scrumptious seafood delicacies from fresh morning catches that will have you coming back for more.

Puri
If you are looking for a more spiritual winter gateway, head to Puri in Odisha. Visit the holy Lord Jagannath temple and pray. Don’t forget to try the divine prasad. Then head to the beach in the evening. You can also go to Chilika Lake, an hour or so away from Puri. It is a water lagoon that’s popular for boat riding and birdwatching. In fact, it is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. During winter, it becomes a sanctuary for a myriad of migratory birds, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Gokarna
Another spiritual winter getaway, Gokarna in Karnataka, is a revered Hindu pilgrimage destination known for its tranquil beaches and ancient temples. Start your visit with the Mahabaleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which attracts devotees from all over the country. Then unwind at Om Beach which has a distinctive shape resembling the sacred Om symbol.

Goa
For beach lovers, Goa will always remain in the heart and soul. From its epic nightlife scenes thrilling beach sports to calming bike rides and beach walks, Goa is an evergreen winter getaway. Indulge in authentic Goan cuisine and marvel at the Portuguese-inspired architecture that adds a unique charm to this coastal paradise. This time explore Goa on a scooter, doing off-beat things. Goa feels like the comfort food that always makes you want to keep coming back.

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The Ifo institute predicted on Friday that overseas visitors to Germany, the host nation for Euro 2024, would enhance the country’s economy by 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion).

According to Germany’s leading economic research institute, the accommodation and food retail sectors stand to gain the most from the games. This equates to approximately 0.1% of the country’s economic production in the second quarter of the year.

“However, the effect is only short-lived, so that exports of services due to returning tourists are likely to fall again after the end of the European Championship in the third quarter and remain the same on balance,” Gerome Wolf, an Ifo researcher, stated.

The institute estimated that during the championship, more than 600,000 foreign visitors and 1.5 million additional overnight stays are anticipated, based on data from the FIFA World Cup that Germany hosted in 2006.

In addition, the German Economy Ministry anticipates a brief rebound in consumer-facing industries following extremely low retail sales this year—though not to the same degree as during the World Cup in 2006.

Experts concur that the German national team’s performance in the competition will also have an impact on the Euro 2024’s overall impact on the greatest economy in Europe.

On Friday evening, the competition will begin with their matchup versus Scotland.

One dollar is equal to 0.9333 euros.

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