Kolkata is all set to host some of the biggest names in world chess as the 'Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz 2026' gets underway from January 7 to 11, 2026, at the Dhana Dhanyo Auditorium. The prestigious tournament will feature both Open and Women's categories, which will be played simultaneously, promising five days of high-quality chess action.
Vishy Anand returns after six years
One of the biggest highlights of this year's event is the return of five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, who will be seen in action at Tata Steel Chess India after a gap of six years. Anand will face stiff competition from a strong field that includes India's young chess stars as well as top international Grandmasters. Many of the Indian players competing this year have been trained or mentored by Anand and are now making waves on the global stage.
Speaking about his participation, Anand said, "I am really very excited to be back at Tata Steel Chess India as a player after a gap of 6 years. Within this period, the world of chess has changed massively with the emergence of talented players across the country specially in India. I am really excited to accept the challenge from the young chess prodigy in this marquee tournament of India."
The chess maestros at the 'Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz 2026' (Image credits: News Ei Samay)
Strong field and packed schedule
The Open category features Viswanathan Anand, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, Wesley So, Wei Yi, R. Praggnanandhaa, Hans Niemann, Vidit Gujrathi, Aravindh Chithambaram, and Volodar Murzin. The Women's field is equally strong, with Aleksandra Goryachkina, Kateryna Lagno, Divya Deshmukh, Vaishali R., Nana Dzagnidze, Harika Dronavalli, Carissa Yip, Stavroula Tsolakidou, Vantika Agrawal, and Rakshitta Ravi.
Also Read | Shreyas Iyer returns to India ODI squad after injury, shines in Vijay Hazare
The first round of the Rapid event will see marquee clashes such as Viswanathan Anand vs Wesley So in the Open section and Rakshitta Ravi vs Aleksandra Goryachkina in the Women's category.
First round schedule
Open
Viswanathan Anand vs Wesley So
Wei Yi vs Nihal Sarin
Aravindh Chithambaram vs R Praggnanandhaa
Arjun Erigaisi vs Vidit Gujrathi
Hans Niemann vs Volodar Murzin
Women
Rakshitta Ravi vs Aleksandra Goryachkina
Carissa Shiwen Yip vs Stavroula Tsolakidou
Divya Deshmukh vs Harika Dronavalli
Nana Dzagnidze vs Kateryna Lagno
Vantika Agarwal vs Vaishali R
The tournament will follow a 10-player round-robin format, with a total prize fund of $41,500 across both categories. In the previous edition, Magnus Carlsen won both Rapid and Blitz titles in the Open section.
Also Read | How was ODI cricket accidentally created and turned into a global format?
D B Sundara Ramam, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, said, "Tata Steel Chess India has grown into much more than a tournament - it is now a landmark on the global chess calendar. As we welcome back legends and rising stars to compete on the same stage, we also celebrate the values that define Tata Steel - excellence, fairness, and a deep commitment to nurturing talent. We hope that every game played here not only crowns champions but also sparks dreams in young minds across the nation."
With legends and rising stars sharing the same stage, Kolkata is ready for a true clash of chess titans.
