Tata Steel Chess India Set for High Voltage Start: R Praggnanandhaa to Face Magnus Carlsen in First Round

The Tata Steel Chess India tournament is all set to kick off with a bang as R Praggnanandhaa gears up to face off against the reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen in the first round of the rapid category on Wednesday. This highly anticipated matchup is sure to set the stage for an exciting tournament filled with intense battles and strategic gameplay.

In its sixth edition, the tournament will showcase the Indian chess contingent that recently clinched gold at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. With players like Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, and Vidit Gujrathi in the mix, the competition is expected to be fierce and thrilling.

Last year’s winners, Maxime Vachier Lagrave and Alexander Grishchuk, will be looking to defend their titles in the rapid and blitz categories, respectively. In the women’s category, Divya Deshmukh and Ju Wenjun will be aiming to repeat their success from the previous year.

One of the major highlights of the tournament is the presence of three-year-old Anish Sarkar, who recently became the youngest FIDE-rated chess player in the world. His remarkable talent has caught the attention of players like Carlsen, who praised the young prodigy’s skills.

Carlsen, who is participating in the tournament for the second time after his victory in 2019, expressed his admiration for the progress of Indian chess. He credited players like Viswanathan Anand for laying the foundation for the success of Indian chess and commended the younger generation for their impressive skills and dedication.

With top-ranked players from around the world competing in the Tata Steel Chess India tournament, fans can expect a thrilling display of talent and strategy as the players battle it out on the chessboard. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting event!