Former World Blitz Champion Alexander wins Tata Steel Chess Blitz 2023, Nodirbek finishes second and Praggnanandhaa again finishes third

Ambar Bhattacharya, Takmaa News, Kolkata, 10th Sept 2023 : India’s biggest chess tournament, Tata Steel Chess India held over a period of 10 days at Bhasa Bhawan, National Library, Kolkata was concluded today. On the penultimate day the excitement among the audience was unparalleled as everyone was there  at the auditorium to witness the gripping fight between Grischuk and Praggnanandhaa. At the end of 18 rounds it was Alexander Grischuk who has the last laugh with 12 points beating his nearest competitors by merely 1 points.

FINAL RANKINGS OF TATA STEEL CHESS INDIA, RAPID & BLITZ 2023-09-09

WINNER	RAPID	BLITZ
WOMEN	DIVYA DESHMUKH – WINNERJU WENJUN – RUNNERS-UP	JU WENJUN – WINNERKONERU HUMPY – RUNNERS-UP
OPEN	MAXIME VACHIER-LAGRAVE – WINNERTEIMOUR RADJABOV – RUNNERS-UP	ALEXANDER GRISCHUK – WINNERNODIRBEK ABDUSATTOROV – RUNNERS-UP

Round 10

GM R Praggnanandhaa won a fine attacking game against GM Teimour Radjabov. GM Harikrishna Pentala beat GM Vidit Gujrathi after things went horribly wrong for the latter in the opening. GM Alexander Grischuk drew his game against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave Lagrave in a balanced game The other two Indians, Gukesh and Erigaisi went down against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov and GM Vincent Keymar respectively.

Round 11

GM Praggnanandhaa maintained his lead drawing against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. GM Gukesh won against GM Pentala. GM Vidit Gujrathi suffered back-to-back losses, this time against GM Alexander Grischuk. Radjabov won against Keymar with the white pieces, while Erigaisi played out a draw against Abdusattorov.

Round 12

Praggnanandhaa continued his fun run with a win over Vincent Keymar. GM Grischuk displayed her blitz prowess with a victory over Indian No. 1 D Gukesh. A fine game by the Russian as he gave no chances to the youngster, converting a better rook endgame on move 48. GM Vidit Gujrathi’s championship chances took a massive hit after succumbing to a third consecutive losson day 2, this time against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Erigaisi won a nice game against Pentala with the black pieces while Abdusattorov scored a full point against Radjabov.

Round 13

Praggnanandhaa’s 4-game winning streak was brought to an end by Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Alexander Grischuk also suffered a loss at the hands of Arjun Erigaisi. GM Gukesh added to Vidit Gujrathi’s despair as the latter slumped to a 4th loss in a row. GM Pentala and GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave drew their games against GM Teimour Radjabov and GM Vincent Keymar.

Round 14

GM Nodirbek continued his rise to the top with another victory over GM Vincent Keymar. GM Praggnanandhaa drew against Harikrishna Pentala, while GM Grischuk was held to a draw by Radjabov. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave got the better of GM Gukesh, while GM Gujrathi drew his game against GM Erigaisi.

Round 15

A thrilling round, as all games ended in decisive results. In a game that would possibly decide the winners of the tournament, Alexander Grischuk edged out Praggnanandhaa with the black pieces. Maximer Vachier-Lagrave scored a victory over Nodirbek Abdusattorov with the black pieces. Harikrishna Pentala won against Vincent Keymar. Erigaisi scored a full point against Gukesh, while Teimour Radjabov won against GM Vidit Gujrathi.

Round 16

GM Praggnanandhaa lost a crucial match against GM Vidit Gujrathi. Alexander Grischuk built on his lead on the standings with a win over Vincent Keymar with the white pieces in the endgame. GM Abdusattorov caught up with Praggnanandhaa with a win over Harikrishna Pentala. GM Gukesh won against GM Teimour Radjabov while Erigaisi drew against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

Round 17

Praggnanandhaa scored against D Gukesh in a fiercely contested match. In the end, Pragg caught Gukesh in a mating net with no comeback for the Indian No. 1 In a crucial game, Grischuk played out a draw against Abdusattorov to keep the lead. GM Erigaisi and Pentala won their games against Radjabov and Vachier-Lagrave respectively

Round 18

In the final round, Grischuk agreed to a quick draw against Harikrishna Pentala to clinch the Tata Steel Chess Blitz 2023. Praggnanandhaa fought hard but was held to a draw by Arjun Erigaisi in a minor-piece endgame. A big win by Abdusattorov against Gujrathi meant that he tied Pragg for the second spot and edged past him on tiebreaks.

Vincent Keymar, who had a difficult Blitz event, closed out with a win against D Gukesh. Other games in the round ended in a draw.