In a poignant display of resilience, young chess grandmaster Nihal Sarin emerged victorious at the Tata Steel India Rapid tournament in Kolkata on Thursday, just hours after learning of his grandfather's passing. The 21-year-old from Kerala held his nerve in a tense final round against his mentor, the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to claim his second title at the event.
A Bittersweet Triumph
At the post-match press conference, Nihal Sarin struggled to contain his emotions. He revealed that his grandfather, A.A. Ummar, who had first introduced him to the game of chess and had been a pillar of support throughout his career, passed away the previous night. "It was he who had introduced me to chess and has been a great support all through my career," Nihal stated with a heavy heart. He dedicated his hard-fought win to his grandfather's memory.
Interestingly, Nihal was not originally on the players' list for the prestigious rapid event. He received a late entry into the tournament after fellow Indian prodigy D. Gukesh withdrew. Nihal seized this unexpected opportunity with both hands, channeling his personal grief into a determined performance on the board.
The Decisive Final Showdown
The championship battle went down to the wire in the ninth and final round. The scenario was stark: Nihal needed only a draw to secure the title, while the five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand required a win to claim victory. In a high-pressure encounter between teacher and student, Nihal managed to hold his fort. The game concluded with a handshake, crowning Nihal the champion with a total of 6.5 points.
"I just tried to keep my nerves in the last round," the champion said, summarizing the intense finale. Anand, playing competitive chess in India after six years, chose not to take excessive risks and finished half a point behind, securing second place.
Podium Finishers and Other Highlights
Arjun Erigaisi completed the podium in third place with 5 points, making a strong recovery after a disappointing first day. He ended tied on points with Americans Wesley So and Hans Niemann.
In the women's section, Russia's Kateryna Lagno dominated the field, clinching the title with a round to spare. She finished with 6.5 points, a commanding 1.5 points ahead of the defending champion, Aleksandra Goryachkina.
The tournament saw mixed fortunes for other Indian participants. Aravindh Chithambaram had a difficult outing, managing only 1.5 points without a single win. Rakshitta Ravi started promisingly but could not maintain the momentum, finishing with 3.5 points.
Nihal Sarin's victory at the Tata Steel India Rapid 2024 marks his second triumph at this event, having previously won the title in 2022. This win, achieved under profoundly emotional circumstances, underscores his growing stature in the world of chess and his remarkable mental fortitude.
