American Grandmaster Wesley So has stepped forward to clear the air surrounding the controversial conclusion of his game against India's R Praggnanandhaa at the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid tournament in Kolkata. The incident, which sparked a fiery debate across the global chess community, was finally addressed by So himself on social media.
The Controversial Moment and So's Clarification
The tense situation unfolded on Thursday during the sixth round of the rapid event. Praggnanandhaa, under severe time pressure, was left with just one second on his clock. He pushed a pawn close to promotion but instantly realized he lacked the time to complete the move and replace it with a queen. As his clock was about to flag, the young Indian star stopped the clock and sought the arbiter's assistance.
Many spectators and commentators believed Wesley So was poised to claim a win on time. However, following discussions at the board, the arbiters declared the game a draw. This decision was met with immediate criticism, including from renowned arbiter Chris Bird, who cited the rules and stated it "should have been ruled a loss."
Ending the speculation, Wesley So took to X on Friday to set the record straight. "Regarding my game with Pragg yesterday, I was the one who proposed to draw the game, not the arbiters," he wrote. So explained that events moved quickly and everyone acted based on their best judgment at that moment. He defended the officials, stating, "Criticizing the arbiters are uncalled for."
Nihal Sarin's Emotional Victory
Amidst the controversy, a poignant story of triumph emerged. Young Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin clinched the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid title on Saturday, marking a significant achievement. His victory was shadowed by personal loss, as it came just a day after the passing of his maternal grandfather, the man who first introduced him to chess.
Nihal secured the Open title in Round 9 with a calm draw against the legendary five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. He finished the tournament in first place with an impressive 6.5 points. Anand secured second place with six points, while Arjun Erigaisi took third with five points.
In an emotional tribute after his win, Nihal said, "Yesterday night I got the news that my maternal grandfather who taught me chess, had passed away. I would like to dedicate this tournament victory to him."
Women's Section and Tournament Wrap-Up
In the women's section of the tournament, Russia's Kateryna Lagno claimed the top spot with 6.5 points. She was followed by compatriot Aleksandra Goryachkina in second place. India's Divya Deshmukh, the 2025 Women's World Cup winner, performed strongly to finish in third place.
The Tata Steel Chess India Rapid, held in Kolkata, provided high drama, from the disputed draw to a heartfelt championship win. Wesley So's clarification has brought some resolution to the rules debate, while Nihal Sarin's dedication added a deeply human element to the competitive spirit of the game.
