In a stunning display of enduring class, the legendary Viswanathan Anand marked his competitive return to chess in India with a commanding performance, seizing a joint lead on the opening day of the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid and Blitz Tournament in Kolkata. The five-time world champion, playing his first event in six years, showcased a blend of swift tactical prowess and veteran guile to defeat a trio of formidable opponents.
A Triumphant Comeback in the City of Joy
Ahead of the tournament, Anand had quipped about the exhaustion of not playing. However, any rust was decisively shaken off as the 56-year-old maestro took on and defeated players half his age. The event, held in Kolkata, witnessed Anand's strategic mastery as he navigated through three rapid games with impressive results.
Punishing the Solid Wesley So
Anand's campaign began against the notoriously solid American Grandmaster Wesley So. Known for his punishing style where even the smallest error is exploited, So presented a formidable challenge. Anand, employing the reliable Caro-Kann defence with the black pieces, engaged in a tense battle. The position remained balanced for over 30 moves, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage.
The turning point came when So pushed his g-pawn. Anand, once nicknamed the "Lightning Kid" for his speed, instantly identified the tactical opportunity. He captured a key pawn and repositioned his queen to simultaneously attack three of So's pieces. This one-move inaccuracy from the American was all Anand needed. He swiftly won a knight and launched a mating attack, forcing So's resignation and announcing his comeback with authority.
Guile and Grit Against Wei Yi
The second round against China's Wei Yi tested Anand's resilience. Playing with white, Anand found himself in a perilous position after some questionable middlegame moves. His king was under severe threat, and computer evaluation suggested a nearly hopeless situation for the Indian legend.
However, Anand demonstrated why experience is invaluable. He continued to play, searching for a saving resource. The miracle arrived when Wei Yi, while building his attack, inadvertently repeated moves to gain time on his clock. This oversight allowed Anand to force a threefold repetition, leading to a draw from a lost position. Had Wei Yi continued, he would have trapped his own queen, making the shared point a sensible outcome.
Closing the Day with a Win Over Chithambaram
Anand completed a full circle on the opening day against his compatriot, Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram. Replicating the pattern from his first game, Anand built a significant time advantage. Under mounting time pressure, Chithambaram blundered a piece, handing Anand enough material to secure a comfortable victory.
With this win, Anand finished the day tied for the lead with American Grandmaster Hans Niemann after the first three rounds of the rapid segment. His performance sent a powerful message to the chess world: the veteran's strategic depth and competitive fire remain undimmed, even after a long hiatus. The tournament in Kolkata continues to be a thrilling showcase of classical wisdom meeting new-age aggression.
