Legendary Indian chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand made a triumphant return to the Tata Steel Chess India tournament, emerging as a joint leader after the first day of Rapid games in Kolkata on Wednesday. The 56-year-old maestro, competing in the event after a six-year hiatus, scored two wins and a draw to finish the day with 2.5 points, proving his enduring prowess in a field filled with young talent.
Anand's Commanding Performance
Anand, a five-time world champion, began his campaign with a significant victory over highly-rated American Grandmaster Wesley So. He applied intense pressure, putting So into serious time trouble in the opening round to secure a full point. Following a draw with China's strong player Wei Yi in the second round, Anand showcased his classic skill in round three. Using the black pieces, he executed clever rook play to defeat his countryman, Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram.
Anand now shares the top spot in the Open category with American GM Hans Niemann, who also has 2.5 points. Niemann's path included a win over former World Rapid champion Volodar Murzin, a draw with India's Vidit Gujrathi, and a victory against the young Indian prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa, who lost on time.
Other Key Battles in the Open Section
The day featured several thrilling encounters. Vidit Gujrathi delivered a powerful performance with black, dominating Arjun Erigaisi—a recent double bronze medallist at the World Rapid and Blitz championships in Doha. Gujrathi sealed his win with a rare and elegant knight-and-bishop checkmate. In another all-Indian clash, Praggnanandhaa controlled both wings of the board before breaking through on the kingside to defeat Erigaisi in the second round.
Women's Section: Carissa Yip Takes Sole Lead
In the women's competition, American International Master Carissa Yip emerged as the sole leader, amassing 2.5 points from her three games. The day started dramatically with a 114-move marathon draw between Indian stalwart Dronavalli Harika and Women's World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh.
Among the Indian contenders, Vantika Agrawal impressed by scoring two points, making her the top performer from the host nation. She displayed excellent endgame technique in the first round to convert a material advantage against R. Vaishali. She capped her day with an aggressive win over Harika in round three.
Other notable results in the women's section included Stavroula Tsolakidou's complex victory over Divya Deshmukh, Kateryna Lagno's endgame mastery against Vantika, and Aleksandra Goryachkina's first win against Vaishali. In the final round, leader Carissa Yip calmly converted an early exchange advantage to defeat Goryachkina.
Standings After Day One
Open Category: 2.5 points – Viswanathan Anand, Hans Niemann (USA). 2 points – Wesley So (USA), Vidit Gujrathi. 1.5 points – Nihal Sarin, R Praggnanandhaa. 1 point – Wei Yi (CHN), Arjun Erigaisi. 0.5 points – Aravindh Chithambaram, Volodar Murzin (RUS).
Women's Category: 2.5 points – Carissa Yip (USA). 2 points – Nana Dzagnidze (GEO), Kateryna Lagno (RUS), Vantika Agarwal. 1.5 points – Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS), Rakshitta Ravi. 1 point – D Harika, Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE), Divya Deshmukh. 0.5 points – R Vaishali.
The opening day of the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid event set the stage for an exciting battle, blending the experience of legends like Anand with the fierce ambition of the game's new generation.
