Indian chess grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has publicly criticized British Airways following a series of frustrating travel issues, including an involuntary downgrade, unhelpful staff, and a significant delay in receiving his luggage.
A Frustrating Start to a Major Tournament
Arjun Erigaisi, currently en route to the Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, detailed his “terrible experience” with British Airways on social media. He expressed his disappointment after being unexpectedly downgraded without any explanation.
Adding to his woes, Erigaisi claimed the airline’s staff were “rude” and offered little clarity regarding his downgrade. Despite being told he was eligible for reimbursement, he received no further information or apology.
The biggest headache, however, was the delayed arrival of his bags. Erigaisi reported that his luggage was delayed for over 48 hours, a significant inconvenience ahead of a major international competition.
“Worst experience flying with British Airways,” Arjun tweeted, highlighting the lack of communication and what he described as unacceptable customer treatment. He noted the irony that he still had to fly back with the airline, but confirmed they had “lost a customer.”
Not Alone: Other Chess Stars Face Travel Nightmares
Arjun Erigaisi’s travel ordeal isn’t an isolated incident among the chess elite heading to Las Vegas. Fellow Indian grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and his wife also faced considerable disruptions.
Their initial KLM flight from Mumbai was grounded for nearly three hours due to a deflated tire, ultimately leading to its cancellation. Vidit and his wife had to return home and book an entirely new flight to reach their destination.
The Las Vegas Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour
Despite the travel challenges, the focus now shifts to the highly anticipated Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in Las Vegas. This leg of the tournament features a 16-player format, promising intense competition.
The event employs a double-elimination structure, beginning with a group stage using rapid time controls. Players then progress to either a championship or placement bracket based on their initial results.
All knockout rounds will be played with classical time controls, contributing to official Freestyle ratings. Fans are eagerly anticipating the matchups, which will see top talents from around the world battle it out.
- Arjun Erigaisi reported an involuntary downgrade, rude staff, and bags delayed over 48 hours by British Airways.
- Another Indian GM, Vidit Gujrathi, also faced significant travel delays due to a cancelled flight.
- Both players are heading to the Las Vegas Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, a 16-player double-elimination event.
The tournament promises thrilling chess, with other prominent Indian players like Praggnanandhaa joining global superstars such as Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Fabiano Caruana on the board.
