PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Nov 29: Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz is back with its fourth edition as it kicked off in Kolkata today.
This year there is going to be a separate women’s tournament apart from the Open category.
The tournament has been a game-changer since its inaugural edition in 2018. Last year, GM Arjun Erigaisi of India won the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid while Levon Aronian won the Tata Steel Chess India Blitz.
The elite Grandmasters who will be seen in action at Kolkata this year are Wesley So, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Gukesh Dommaraju, Anna Muzychuk, Nana Dzagnidze, Anna Ushenina, Humpy Koneru, Harika Dronavalli among others.
India’s young brigade who are making their impact on the international chess scene will also be seen in action. This is the first time that a women’s tournament is organised with an equal prize amount that of an open tournament.
Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand will also be present during the tournament as the Ambassador of the tournament as well as the mentor to the younger players. His presence at the tournament is a source of inspiration for all players.
Viswanathan Anand, Deputy FIDE President and Tournament Ambassador said, “We have a wonderful generation of youngsters, the golden generation who can represent India at the international level. Tata Steel and this tournament is giving a great opportunity to them to compete with the best players and we hope this experience gives them the confidence and motivation to break into the world elite. The introduction of the women’s tournament in FIDE’s Year of the Women in Chess is a welcome addition, and we hope this will inspire more women to take up the sport.”
Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, said: “Tata Steel has a long-standing association with chess, in Netherlands and in India. We aim to make Tata Steel Chess India a highly sought-after and world-class professional chess event in the coming years. Equality and inclusivity are a way of life for us at Tata Steel, and in line with this, the Women’s tournament has been introduced with the same format and equal prize money as the Men’s tournament. We hope the people of the city of Kolkata and all others watching Live around the world, enjoy what promises to be a closely-contested tournament.”
