Rameshbabu Vaishali in women category and Arjun Erigaisi in men category wins Tata Steel Chess India Blitz

Ambar Bhattacharya, Takmaa News, Kolkata, 4th Dec 2022 :  Displaying a strong performance on the last day of Tata Steel Chess India, Rameshbabu Vaishali emerged winner of Tata Steel Chess India Blitz section. She ended with 13.5 points followed by Mariya Muzychuk with 12 points and Harika Dronavalli with 11 points. Arjun emerged as the winner finishing with 12.5 points followed by Hikaru Nakaumura with 11.5 points.

TATA STEEL CHESS INDIA 2022 RESULTS AT A GLANCE

CATEGORY

RAPID WINNER

RAPID RUNNERS-UP

BLITZ WINNER

BLITZ RUNNERS-UP

WOMEN

Anna Ushenina – 6.5 points. Wins the title on tie-break

Nana Dzagnidze – 6.5 points

Rameshbabu Vaishali – 13.5 points

Mariya Muzychuk – 12 points

MEN

Nihal Sarin – 6.5 points

Arjun Erigaisi – 6 points

Arjun Erigaisi – 12.5 points

Hikaru Nakaumura – 11.5 points

Men’s Blitz

Round 10

Can Arjun clinch the blitz title which he was agonizingly close to winning last year? The first round wasn’t a great start for the Indians as they collectively managed to score only 0.5 against the 5 visiting players.The overnight leader GM Arjun Erigaisi had a shaky start to the day after going down against GM Abdusattarov Nodirbek in a roller coaster of a game. Erigaisi had a clear advantage in the opening, but Nodirbek generated some counterplay to keep himself in the game. Another inaccuracy from Erigaisi meant that Nodirbek took over and went on to win the game. GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov beat D Gukesh in the first round of Day 2 of the blitz segment to move into a half point sole lead. Shakh’s dangerous pawn on c6, after the opening, gave him complete control of the position and later GM Hikaru Nakamura made a strong start with a win against GM Nihal Sarin to fight right back into contention, 1 point behind Shakhriyar. GM VIdit Gujrathi held on against GM Parham Maghsoodloo in a worse endgame to move to joint 3rd place on the standing. GM Welsey So got the better of GM R Praggnanandhaa in a game which he dominated right from the opening. The American used his pawn majority to create a passed pawn and was able to exert enough pressure to win the game.

Round 11

GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov was held to a draw by GM R Praggnanandhaa. At some point in the endgame, the Azeri GM might have had some chances, but in the heat of things, the players split the points.

GM Erigaisi struck back with a win over GM Vidit Gujrathi in an interesting battle. Gujrathi seemed comfortably placed until he overlooked a tactic that cost him a piece. The 2021 Tata Steel India Rapid Champion went on to win the game in 76 moves

GM Hikaru marched on with a win over fellow American GM Wesley So. Despite being worse throughout the middlegame, the blitz specialist pounced on an inaccuracy by Wesley. The game ended in Hikaru’s favour on move 35.

GM D Gukesh came back strong and won his game against GM Parham, while GM Abdusattatrov notched up back-to-back wins, this time against GM Nihal Sarin.

Round 12

GM Arjun Ergaisi, won his second game on the trot with a great victory over his ‘Death Match’ opponent, D Gukesh. Erigaisi took control over the position after having the better position in the opening. He went on to win the game in 56 moves.

GM Nihal Sarin, finally won his first game of the day with a thumping win over GM Vidit Gujrathi. Playing with white pieces, Sarin, as always kept things solid, and at the right opportunity, took control over matters. He got complete control over the c file and was able to deliver a checkmate on move 36.

GM Hikaru Nakamura looked in his element against GM Nodirbek. The American kept probing and won the game on move 47.

GM Wesley So took a huge stride with a victory over tournament leader, GM Mamedyarov Shakhriyar with the black pieces. There wasn’t much to separate the two, but in the endgame, Wesley used his king as a powerful catalyst to get to Shakh’s pawns and with more activity, was able to topple the Azeri GM.

GM Praggnanandhaa also won his game against GM Maghsoodloo after things went wrong for the Iranian in the opening. After winning a pawn, Pragg was completely in the driver’s seat. Maghsoodloo resigned the game on move 22.

Round 13

Tournament Leader GM Arjun Erigaisi, maintained his lead after a draw against GM R Praggnanandhaa in a game that was level throughout. GM Abdusattarov won against GM Vidit Gujrathi after crashing through the center, while GM Nihal won on time against GM Gukesh. GM Hikaru Nakamura drew against GM Mamedyarov in a very interesting contest that ended in a series of repetitive checks. GM Wesley and GM Shakhriyar’s game ended in a very picturesque manner after So sacrificed his rook in the endgame to get himself stalemated.

Round 14

GM Arjun Erigaisi continued to chip away on the leaderboard with a win over GM Wesley So after the former won a rook for his bishop on move 29. With the material advantage, Erigaisi went on to win the endgame on move 43. Hikaru Nakamura continued his hot form on Day 2 with a win over Vidit Gujrathi. Although the Indian GM had some chances in the middlegame, the American showed why he is one of the most dangerous players in the shorter format of the game with utmost precision.In the battle of the juniors, GM Praggnanandhaa came out on top against GM Nihal Sarin after a long struggle in the middlegame. Sarin seemed to have the advantage in the middlegame with his pieces looking at the kingside. But things went wrong after a series of moves, which completely swung the game in favour of the Arjuna awardee. Soon, the position cleared up and Pragg emerged victorious.GM Gukesh drew against GM Nodirbek, while GM Maghsoodloo drew against GM Mamedyarov Shakhriyar

Round 15

GM Arjun Erigaisi extended his lead with a win over GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov after the former made a shock blunder hanging his rook in the endgame. GM Hikaru suffered a loss against former World Junior Champion, Maghsoodloo Parham. Parham, with the white pieces, was sharp out of the opening, got an advantage, and liquidated into the endgame with 3 pawns against Hikaru’s knight. The Iranian went on to win the game in a rook endgame. GM Vidit succumbed to his 5th loss in 6 games as he lost to GM Gukesh. GM Wesley So also won his game against young Nihal Sarin in a long game which, at one point, saw 4 queens on the chess board! GM Praggnanandhaa drew his game against GM Nodirbek after the game moved to an equal rook endgame where players repeated moves.

Round 16

After stunning Hikaru Nakamura, GM Maghsoodloo Parham shocked GM Ajun Erigaisi with the black pieces. It was a hard loss for Erigaisi after having the upper hand for the majority of the game. Things came crashing down after the Iranian managed to get both his rook and queen in Arjun’s territory threatening check mating ideas. After chasing Arjun’s king from one side to the other of the board, Parham finally won on move 64.

GM Hikaru Nakamura struck back with a very important win over Gukesh with the white pieces in an extremely complicated game. The game was equal throughout, with Gukesh pressing against the American’s weak king. But, as it has happened multiple times in this tournament, a couple of harmless moves from Gukesh pushed the game in Hikaru’s favour. In the end, GUkesh blundered mate in 1, allowing Hikaru to close in on Erigaisi for the top spot on the standings. GM Vidit Gujrathi finally scored a win after a drought of victories as he overcame Praggnanandhaa with the white pieces. It was a well-played game by the Nashik GM as he held on to his advantage until the very end. The games between Nihal and Mamedyarov & Nodirbek and Wesley So ended in draws.

Round 17

The ultimate battle of the blitz event was awaited. The top 2 players on the standings pitted against each other. It was time for Erigaisi vs Hikaru. A win for Erigaisi meant that he would win the tournament with a round to spare. For Hikaru, a win would mean a half point lead, going into the last round. The game started out with Arjun going 1. d4. Hikaru played the Nimzo Indian and Arjun was blitzing out his moves from his deep opening preparation. Around move 30, the position looked firmly in Hikaru’s control. A couple of accurate moves and it would have curtains for the Indian GM. Hikaru overcompensated and tried to bring his knight into the attack, but it turned out to be a heavy inaccuracy allowing Arjun to crawl back into the game. In a couple of moves, the tables turned, and the position dramatically turned to Arjun’s favour. Once he had his chance, Arjun made sure he converted the position. On the final move, he threatened to win Hikaru’s bishop with a double attack and it was all over as the American shook hands with the Indian. With that win, Arjun was the champion of the blitz event, with a round to spare. In other games, GM Vidit won against GM Wesley So after launching a nice attack. GM Praggnanandhaa came out on top against GM Gukesh in the endgame, while GM Parham won against young Nihal Sarin. GM Mamedyarov Shakhriyar and GM Nodirbek’s game ended in a short draw spanning 16 moves.

Round 18

After already becoming the champion, Arjun Erigaisi drew his final game against Nihal Sarin. While it was a game which had no consequences, Erigaisi was looking to dominate and had some chances in the game which eventually fizzled out after a strong fightback from Nihal. The game finally ended on move 56 in a rook endgame. GM Hikaru Nakamura ended the tournament on a high with a last round victory over GM Praggnanandhaa R. Hikaru sacrificed his knight and developed a crushing attack against the Indian’s king forcing him to drop the towel. GM Vidit made a good comeback in the end, scoring a hattrick of wins to close out the event on a positive note. He won against GM Mamedyarov Shakhriyar in a long queen endgame that lasted 78 moves. GM Abdusattarov drew against Maghsoodloo, while GM Wesley ended on a high with a win over D Gukesh.

So, as the final rankings stand:

GM Arjun Erigaisi 12.5/18GM Hikaru Nakaumura 11.5/18GM Mamedyarov Shakhriyar 9.5/18

Women’s Blitz

Round 10

It was once against the battle between the top players, GM Humpy and GM Harika. The game ended in a quick draw after players repeated moves. Overnight leader, Mariya Muzychuk was playing against young Savitha. She won a pawn towards the endgame and managed to easily convert the game to jump one more point ahead in the lead.

IM R Vaishali was up against GM Anna Muzychuk, but fell short, as the Ukrainian showed her class in the middlegame. Muzychuk took advantage of some weaknesses in the Indian’s position and also capitalized on the errors made by the Chennai youngster. IM Kiolbasa won her game against WGM Bhakti Kulkarni while GM Anna Ushenina won her game against GM Nana Dzagnidze

Round 11

It was the all-important battle between Vaishali and Mariya Muzychuk, the top 2 players on the ranking table. The game which the commentators felt could decide the winner of the tournament. It was looking scary for Vaishali at one point in the middlegame where an attack seemed to be developing. But, Muzychuk missed a critical move at one point. Soon, Vaishali regrouped and the closed nature of the position led to players agreeing to a draw on move 45. Savitha Shri scored a huge win against GM Koneru Humpy with the black pieces playing the King’s Indian Defense. Humpy erred with an incorrect pawn advance which opened up the position. After a series of exchanges, Savitha came out on top after a tactical combination won her material. GM Anna Muzychuk won an important game against IM Kiolbasa Oliwia and moved a step closer to R Vaishali on the leaderboard. At the same time, GM Harika lost her game against GM Nana Dzagnidze.

In the other drawn result, IM Bhakti Kulkarni held GM Anna Ushenina in 32 moves with the white pieces.

Round 12

GM Mariya Muzychuk took on IM Kiolbasa Oliwia, but against the run of play, the Ukrainian blundered a full rook on move 25 which led to immediate resignation. This meant that the onus was on IM Vaishali R to jump into joint lead as she took on Savitha Shri with the white pieces. The second player looked in control throughout the middlegame as she dominated both on the clock and on the board. Soon, players reached an equal endgame, with roughly equal time on the clock. Vaishali managed to win a pawn, and pressed in an equal endgame to edge past Savitha in a close contest. In another dramatic contest, GM Harika hung her queen against IM Bhakti Kulkarni in a shocking turn around as the latter won the game. GM Nana Dzagnidze won her game against GM Humpy, while Anna Muzychuk drew her game against GM Anna Usenina.

Round 13

IM Humpy, after a couple of hard losses, was up against tournament leader IM Vaishali. After getting an advantage out of the opening, things went south for Humpy very quickly as Vaishali launched a powerful counter attack. The combination of rook and bishop near the king sealed the deal for Vaishali. The other leader, Mariya took on her fellow country woman, Anna Ushenina. Mariya dominated the game taking advantage of Ushenina’s undeveloped pieces. She won a pawn in the opening and put the Rapid Champion under pressure before winning the game on move 30. GM Harika kept her chances of a podium finish alive with an important win against her close rival GM Muzychuk. Harika never looked in trouble as she won a pawn in the opening and built her game progressively from there. She won the game on move 30. GM Nana Dzagznidze continued her good run with a win over IM Bhakti Kulkarni and IM Kiolbasa Oliwia won against WIM Savitha Shri

Round 14

In a huge match-up, GM Harika Dronavalli scored a clutch win against GM Mariya Muzychuk. After being a pawn up in the middlegame, Harika liquidated into a same coloured bishop endgame and showed great technique to displace Muzychuk from the top spot on the standings. IM Vaishali, on the other hand, won her game against IM Oliwia Kiolbasa to put herself in the sole lead. Vaishali won a pawn with a nice tactic and that proved enough as she found the winning continuation in the endgame. She won the game on move 45.

GM Koneru Humpy won her game against IM Bhakti Kulkarni, while GM Anna Muzychuk was held to a draw by GM Nana Dzagnidze. Young Savitha Shri also drew her game against GM Anna Ushenina after a fairly level game.

Game 15

It’s the final showdown. IM Vaishali R is in the lead, a one point lead. She just needs a draw to win the Tata Steel Chess India Blitz tournament. Will she do it or will Mariya catch up to force the tiebreak?

At a touching distance from the title, Vaishali took on the winner of the Rapid Section, GM Anna Ushenina. Things got off to a shaky start as Vaishali found herself worse in the middlegame, in an attempt to create active play. She lost a pawn in the process and was trailing further as the game progressed. But, like she’s done throughout the tournament, she fought back, created counterplay, and was able to force a draw later in the game on move 48. With that draw, Vaishali clinched the blitz section of the TATA Steel Chess India Women’s Blitz Championship.

Game 16

FIghting up the rankings on day 2, GM Harika finished on a high with a win over young IM Savitha Shri. The India No. 2 played a great game and crashed through the youngster’s position with a powerful attack along the center of the board. She won a piece in the process and very soon, won the game. With that win, Harika secured a podium finish with the bronze medal. GM Mariya Muzychuk’s great run in the event ended with a hard loss against GM Nana Dzagnidze, who herself, made an incredible comeback after a disappointing day 1 yesterday. GM Anna Muzychuk won her game against IM Bhakti Kulkarni, while India No. 1 GM Koneru Humpy finished the event on a good note with a win over IM Oliwia Kiolbasa.

An exceptional performance by the young Chennai-based IM Vaishali, who held her own in a strong field of world- class players. At the post-match presentation with the commentators and none other than Five-time World Champion, Viswanathan Anand, Vaishali revealed that she was not following the standings until the very last round. This helped her focus on the board and play to the merit of the positions on her chess board.