Magnus Carlsen – Chess Olympiad Gold Medalists and World Champion to Compete in Kolkata
Kolkata is gearing up to host one of the biggest chess tournaments of the year as Tata Steel Chess India returns for its sixth edition from November 13 to 17, 2024. The event will take place at the newly built Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, Alipore, and promises a thrilling display of strategy and skill as world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen joins India’s brightest chess stars, along with top international talents.
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Magnus Carlsen Returns to India After 2019 Victory
The five-time world champion and current FIDE live rating leader, Magnus Carlsen, will be the headline attraction at the tournament. The Norwegian Grandmaster, who has a stellar rating of 2831, last played in the event in 2019, where he clinched the title. His return has created an electrifying buzz among Indian chess fans, eager to watch the world’s top player take on the best talent India has to offer.
Speaking ahead of the event, Carlsen expressed his excitement: “I’m looking forward to returning to Kolkata for Tata Steel Chess India. The tournament has always brought together great competitors and this year will be no different.”
India’s Olympiad Stars Set for Action
While Carlsen’s presence is sure to draw global attention, the Indian line-up is equally impressive. Members of India’s double gold-medal winning teams from the 2024 Chess Olympiad will be in action, including rising stars Arjun Erigaisi, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gujrathi. Nihal Sarin and S.L. Narayanan will also be competing, making it an exciting time for Indian chess fans.
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However, the only notable absence from India’s golden squad is Gukesh D., who will be preparing for his World Championship match against reigning champion Ding Liren in Singapore. Despite Gukesh’s absence, India’s chess fans are eager to watch their Olympiad heroes take on global competition on home soil.
Top Women’s Players to Compete in Equal Format
The Women’s category is equally competitive, with India’s top female players ready to showcase their skills. The field will include nearly the entire Chess Olympiad squad, featuring Vaishali R., Harika Dronavalli, Divya Deshmukh, and Vantika Agrawal. Additionally, India’s first female grandmaster, Koneru Humpy, who missed the Olympiad for personal reasons, will make her return to competitive action in Kolkata.
The event will follow the same format as previous years, with both Open and Women’s categories featuring rapid and blitz matches. Equal prize money will be awarded for both sections, reflecting Tata Steel’s commitment to promoting gender equality in sports.
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Chess legend Viswanathan Anand, the ambassador of the tournament, highlighted the importance of this event in India’s chess calendar: “This year has been a celebration of Indian chess, and Tata Steel Chess India is the perfect platform to bring together the best players in the world and the best of Indian chess.”
International Stars Join the Fray
In addition to the Indian talent, the tournament will see a number of top global players competing. In the Open section, Carlsen will be joined by Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Vincent Keymer, and Daniil Dubov. The Women’s field will also see renowned names like Aleksandra Goryachkina, Kateryna Lagno, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Nana Dzagnidze, and Valentina Gunina.
Chess Fans Excited for the Marquee Event
The Tata Steel Chess India tournament has grown into the country’s premier chess event since its inception, and this year’s edition promises to be even bigger. Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice-President of Tata Steel, said, “We are thrilled to host the sixth edition of Tata Steel Chess India, and with Magnus Carlsen and India’s Olympiad stars, this event will truly be special. We are committed to raising the bar every year, and 2024 is no exception.”
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For Indian chess fans, this November’s event is set to be an unmissable spectacle, celebrating both global and homegrown talent in the world of chess.
