Magnus Carlsen Clinches Blitz Title at Tata Steel Chess India Tournament

Magnus Carlsen, the World No. 1 chess player, has once again proven his dominance in the game by clinching the blitz title at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament in Kolkata. After securing the rapid title just days before, Carlsen put on a scintillating performance to finish with 13 points and claim the crown.

In a dramatic turnaround against Indian prodigy Arjun Erigaisi in the penultimate round, Carlsen showed his resilience and skill. He then went on to defeat Vidit Gujrathi in the final round to seal his victory. This marks his second double victory in Kolkata, replicating his success from 2019.

Filipino-American Grandmaster Wesley So also had an impressive showing, winning six straight games and securing second place with 11.5 points. Reflecting on his performance, Carlsen admitted it was a nervy day but expressed his happiness with the tournament win.

Looking ahead, Carlsen revealed his plans to head to Singapore to promote Freestyle Chess with Fabiano Caruana and play a match with him. The Indian contingent also performed well, with Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gujrathi finishing in the top five.

In the women’s section, Russian player Kateryna Lagno emerged victorious with 11.5 points, narrowly beating out her compatriot Valentina Gunina. India’s Vantika Agrawal also shared third place with Aleksandra Goryachkina. Overall, the Tata Steel Chess India tournament showcased some incredible talent and exciting matches for chess fans around the world.