The Tata Steel Chess India Festival 2024 witnessed a heartwarming moment that left the Norwegian Grandmaster shy and surprised.The moment was when Bristy Mukher

R. Praggnanandhaa discovered this the hard way during the opening round of the Tata Steel Chess India 2024 Blitz tournament at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium. In a marathon 112-move game against compatriot Vidit Gujrathi, Praggnanandhaa watched a winning position slip through his fingers, setting the tone for a challenging day ahead.

Chess in India is growing rapidly, and the support we’ve received here reflects that,” the Norwegian said after receiving the blitz trophy from five-time world champion and tournament ambassador Viswa

Magnus Carlsen won the Tata Steel Chess India blitz tournament with 13 points, despite a challenge from Arjun Erigaisi and Wesley So finishing second.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and three-time World Women’s Blitz Champion Kateryna Lagno emerged as the leaders at the halfway mark of the Tata Steel Chess India Blitz 2024, being held at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata.

Starting the day just half a point behind overnight leader Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Magnus Carlsen’s masterful play elevated him to the top of the leaderboard with a commanding five points out of a possible six in the ‘Open’ section.

Just days after securing the rapid title, Carlsen produced a scintillating performance, including a dramatic turnaround against Indian prodigy Arjun Erigaisi in the penultimate round, to reach an unassailable 12 points.

Magnus Carlsen and Kateryna Lagno lead the standings at the Tata Steel Chess India Blitz 2024. Carlsen achieved 6.5 points, with a notable defeat in round eight. Praggnanandhaa follows closely with 6 points.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Erigaisi faced fellow Indian grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa in the final round of the day, where he suffered a defeat. He finished the day third on the table with 5.5 points. The victory over Erigaisi, on the other hand, brought Praggnanandhaa’s tally to 6 points, placing him second on the Blitz leaderboard after nine rounds.

Magnus Carlsen started the second half of the Blitz event with a narrow half-point lead. Despite holding steady with five consecutive draws against Praggnanandhaa, Wesley So, Abdusattorov Nodirbek, Vincent Keymer,

Magnus Carlsen secures a double victory at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament, winning both the rapid and blitz titles. Carlsen finished the blitz with 13 points, outpacing Wesley So's second-place performance.