Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian Grandmaster, is set to compete at the Tata Steel Chess India (TSCI), to be held at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium from November 13 to 17 in Kolkata.
The World No. 1 chess player will fight for the top honour against some of the brightest Indian minds, including Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, Nihal Sarin and SL Narayanan.
D Gukesh, however, will miss the event, as he will be busy preparing himself for the World Chess Championship finale against Ding Liren, to be held in Singapore between November 25 and December 13.
This will be Carlsen’s second appearance in the Tata Steel Chase India. The last time he participated in the tournament in 2019 he clinched the title.
The 10-player field also included Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Vincent Keymer and Daniil Dubov.
The tournament will have ‘Open’ and ‘women’s’ categories, with players competing in the rapid and blitz format. Players will get equal prize money.
In the women’s section, Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, D Harika, Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal will represent India.
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has been named the tournament’s ambassador.
Players
Open section
Magnus Carlsen, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Vincent Keymer, Daniil Dubov, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, Nihal Sarin, SL Narayanan
Women’s section
Aleksandra Goryachkina, Kateryna Lagno, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Nana Dzagnidze, Valentina Gunina, Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, D Harika, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal