The opening day of the Tata Steel Blitz event in Kolkata delivered a dramatic rollercoaster of results, culminating in American Grandmaster Wesley So snatching a narrow half-point lead from India's young sensation Arjun Erigaisi.
Erigaisi's Stunning Start Meets So's Resurgence
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi exploded out of the gates, showcasing brilliant form to win his first five consecutive rounds. This dominant performance positioned him as the clear frontrunner. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the latter half of the day's nine rounds.
Wesley So's journey was the mirror opposite. He suffered a shocking setback early on, blundering a mate-in-one position against fellow GM Vidit Gujrathi. Yet, the American champion demonstrated remarkable resilience. He regrouped emphatically, first by halting Arjun Erigaisi's winning streak and then by embarking on a victorious run of his own.
Key Results and Standings After Day One
So recorded five straight wins to finish the day on a strong 7 points. Erigaisi, after losses to both Wesley So and countryman R Praggnanandhaa, concluded with 6.5 points. The day's action sets up a thrilling second day of rapid chess.
In other notable results, rapid champion Nihal Sarin kept his hopes alive for a double title, scoring 5.5 points. The legendary Viswanathan Anand, runner-up in the rapid event, ended the day with 5 points.
Women's Section: Carissa Yip Holds Slim Lead
The women's competition is intensely close. American International Master Carissa Yip managed to secure the sole lead after the first day, accumulating 6 points. She is followed closely by a chasing pack of three players all tied on 5.5 points: Stavroula Tsolakidou, Aleksandra Goryachkina, and India's own Vaishali R.
The stage is perfectly set for a high-stakes conclusion to the Tata Steel Blitz tournament, with several players still in contention for top honors.
