Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz Returns: An International Chess Extravaganza in Kolkata

Fifth Edition Features Separate Women’s Tournament, Star-Studded Lineup of Grandmasters

The fifth edition of Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz is back, featuring a separate Women’s Tournament and a star-studded lineup of Grandmasters. The event promises to be an international chess extravaganza held at the National Library in Kolkata

JAMSHEDPUR – Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz is back with its fifth edition in 2023, promising to be a grander, more inclusive affair than ever before.

Taking place over 10 days at the National Library in Kolkata, this international chess showdown brings together some of the brightest minds in the game today.

Last year saw Vaishali R conquer the Tata Steel Blitz in the women’s category, while Anna Ushenina clinched victory in the Rapid category.

On the open front, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin emerged as the winners in Blitz and Rapid, respectively.

Who’s Who of Chess to Play

In a landmark move, this year’s edition will feature a separate Women’s tournament alongside the Open category.

The list of Grandmasters in the women’s division is awe-inspiring.

It includes reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun, Anna Ushenina, Humpy Koneru, and Harika Dronavalli. Ju Wenjun, who claimed her World Championship in May 2018, has successfully defended her title twice and is a force to reckon with.

In the open category, the roster is no less remarkable. Alexander Grischuk, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Gukesh Dommaraju will battle it out over the chessboard. Indian talents like R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and Gukesh Dommaraju are making their mark on the international scene, most recently at the Chess World Cup 2023.

Fostering Talent

Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion, will grace the event as its Ambassador and mentor to budding talent. “Tata Steel is offering a golden chance for players to compete with world-class athletes,” said Anand, who is also the Deputy FIDE President. “I admire the current generation of Indian youngsters who are making a mark on the world stage.”

A Legacy in Making

Mr. Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, underlined the importance of the event.

“This fifth edition continues to celebrate excellence in chess and its role in promoting the game in India,” said Chaudhary.

The city of Kolkata and chess enthusiasts globally are set for what promises to be a nail-biting, intensely fought competition.

VENUE
In keeping with the stature of the event, the venue remains the Bhasha Bhawan Auditorium, National Library, Kolkata. Entry is free and open to all, passes will be available at the entrance of the auditorium.