2 hours Ago By Firstpost
Chess superstar Magnus Carlsen is set to make a comeback in Tata Steel Chess India in the sixth edition of the event that takes place in Kolkata from 13 to 17 November. Carlsen had previously won the event on debut in 2019 and the reigning world No 1 will be hoping to collect a second title five years later. Carlsen, however, can expect a stiff challenge from the Indian contingent, which will be represented by rising stars Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi in the open section.
The trio was part of the Indian contingent that had won a historic double gold in the Chess Olympiad in Hungary. Nihal Sarin and S L Narayanan will be the other Indians competing in the ‘Open’ category. Read | Arjun Erigaisi: The Indian chess sensation close to equalling Viswanathan Anand’s historic feat The event is set to be played in the ‘Rapid and Blitz’ format once again with players divided into two sections — ‘Open’ and ‘Women’, with World No.
5 Aleksandra Goryachkin of Russia being the highest-ranked competitor in the latter. The event will offer equal prize money in both categories. Koneru Humpy R Vaishali, Dronavalli Harika, Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal are the Indians competing in the women’s section with everyone barring Humpy having been part of the gold-winning Indian team in the 45th Olympiad.
Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, meanwhile, is set to continue as the tournament ambassador. “Looking forward to being back at Tata Steel Chess India. It has become the marquee event in India.
This year brings the best of the world headed by Magnus Carlsen. “I am particularly excited that the women’s event will have the best of Indian chess. This year has been a celebration of Indian chess and this event will be a fitting tribute,” Anand said.
Open : Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan), Wesley So (USA), Vincent Keymer (Germany), Daniil Dubov (FIDE), Arjun Erigaisi (India), R. Praggnanandhaa (India), Vidit Gujrathi (India), Nihal Sarin (India), S.L.
Narayanan (India). Women : Aleksandra Goryachkina (FIDE), Kateryna Lagno (FIDE), Alexandra Kosteniuk (Switzerland), Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia), Valentina Gunina (FIDE), Koneru Humpy (India), R. Vaishali (India), Harika Dronavalli (India), Divya Deshmukh (India), Vantika Agrawal (India).
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