Magnus Carlsen to Compete in Tata Steel Chess India Tournament in Kolkata

World No 1 Magnus Carlsen is set to make a return to Kolkata in November for the 6th edition of the Tata Steel Chess India tournament. The Norwegian chess prodigy will be facing off against some of India’s brightest minds in the chess world, including Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, Nihal Sarin, and SL Narayanan. However, one notable absence from the Indian contingent will be 18-year-old Gukesh, who will be preparing for the world chess championship battle against Ding Liren.

This will be Carlsen’s second appearance at the Kolkata tournament, having previously emerged victorious in 2019. Joining him and the Indian players in the 10-player field are Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Vincent Keymer, and Daniil Dubov. The tournament is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 17 at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata’s Alipore.

In addition to the Open category, the tournament will also feature a Women’s category with equal prize money. Top Indian women players, including Viswanathan Anand, will be participating in the event. The women’s field will include members of India’s Budapest Chess Olympiad team such as Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali R, Divya Deshmukh, and Vantika Agrawal, along with India’s top-ranked women’s player Koneru Humpy.

Anand expressed his excitement for the upcoming tournament, stating, “I’m 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.”