Blitz Chess Thrills at Tata Steel Chess India 2024 Tournament

The Tata Steel Chess India 2024 Blitz tournament kicked off with a bang as R. Praggnanandhaa experienced the highs and lows of blitz chess in a rollercoaster of a day. The young Indian chess prodigy started off on a rough note, facing tough losses to top players like Magnus Carlsen and S.L. Narayanan. However, Praggnanandhaa quickly turned things around with a scrappy win against Wesley So, sparking a remarkable comeback.

In a marathon 112-move game against Vidit Gujrathi, Praggnanandhaa found himself in a winning position only to see it slip away, setting the tone for a challenging day ahead. Despite the setbacks, the Indian prodigy showcased his brilliance by defeating some of the brightest talents in the game, including Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Vincent Keymer, Nihal Sarin, Daniil Dubov, and Arjun Erigaisi.

While Praggnanandhaa’s impressive performance was not enough to dethrone Carlsen, the Norwegian chess maestro had a near-perfect start to the day, only suffering a loss to Arjun Erigaisi in the penultimate round. Arjun, who ended the day in third place, avenged his rapid loss to Carlsen in style, handing the world champion his only defeat of the tournament.

In the women’s section, Russian player Kateryna Lagno stole the spotlight with a dominant performance, leading the standings with a flawless 7.0/9 score. Lagno’s solid defence and timely aggression helped her stay ahead of her compatriots, with Valentina Gunina securing second place and Aleksandra Goryachkina finishing in third.

Overall, the first day of the Tata Steel Chess India 2024 Blitz tournament was filled with excitement, surprises, and fierce competition, setting the stage for an action-packed event ahead. With players like Praggnanandhaa, Carlsen, Lagno, and others showcasing their skills, chess fans can expect more thrilling battles in the days to come.