The iconic Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata pulsated with renewed energy on Thursday as chess legend Viswanathan Anand faced off against the prodigious Arjun Erigaisi in a match that lived up to its blockbuster billing at the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid and Blitz tournament.
A City's Passion Meets a Quiet Start
Kolkata, a city with a deep and abiding love for sports, has embraced the Tata Steel Chess India event since its 2018 debut. However, the 2024 edition began with a noticeably subdued atmosphere. The absence of global superstar Magnus Carlsen, whose visit last year created a frenzy, and the non-participation of Indian sensation D Gukesh, had tempered initial enthusiasm. Yet, the promise of a showdown between the only two Indians to podium at the World Rapid and Blitz Championship – the veteran "Mad Man" Anand and the swift "Lightning Kid" Arjun – promised chaos and a full house.
The Anarchy on the 64 Squares
The anticipated chaos arrived promptly over the board. Playing with the black pieces, Arjun Erigaisi unveiled deep preparation in a Ruy Lopez, cruising on the clock for a remarkable 18 moves before his first serious think. The game seemed to tilt decisively when a seemingly casual pawn capture by Arjun in the middlegame allowed Viswanathan Anand to execute a series of trades, netting a material advantage that appeared terminal.
"I knew I was dead lost later on," Arjun admitted after the game. But a recent memory fueled a sliver of hope. Weeks earlier at the Jerusalem Masters, he had salvaged a draw from a similarly lost position against Anand. That optimism proved prophetic. In a dramatic twist, Anand, in transition to the endgame, overlooked a tactical nuance that allowed Arjun to promote a pawn to a queen and regain a rook with a check. The apprentice had swindled the master once again, securing an improbable draw.
Longevity, Luck, and Self-Criticism
Despite the draw, the 56-year-old Anand ended the day tied for the lead with Nihal Sarin, having scored brilliant wins over Hans Niemann and Volodar Murzin earlier. Arjun was left in awe of his opponent's enduring prowess. "It's really impressive to see him playing at this level at his age," Arjun said. "I'm not sure how many of us will be able to do the same in the future."
For Arjun, the second day revived a campaign that began disastrously with losses to Vidit Gujrathi and R. Praggnanandhaa. His Thursday fortunes included the great escape against Anand and a win over an over-aggressive Wei Yi. Ironically, the young grandmaster remained fiercely self-critical. "To be honest, nothing changed. I was still playing very badly," he stated, considering his well-played draw against Aravindh Chithambaram as his best game of the event, despite not converting it to a win.
The clash served as a powerful reminder that while star power draws crowds, the timeless drama of a chess battle between a legendary champion and a tenacious young contender is what truly makes a tournament come alive, reaffirming Kolkata's status as a proud chess hub.
