It is not difficult to imagine that fan interest in Tata Steel Chess India has dipped, even if just by a notch, following D. Gukesh’s late withdrawal from the rapid and blitz showpiece in Kolkata from January 7-11.
The world champion in the classical form of the game was the biggest draw. His clashes against Viswanathan Anand were billed as the marquee games. Those fixtures were expected to fill up the auditorium that seats nearly 2000.
While the tangible and intangible damages caused by Gukesh’s absence are yet to be calculated, there is no reason to think the level of play or the intensity of competition is going to be any less because of that.
The focus will be on Arjun Erigaisi, who recently clinched bronze in both sections of the World Rapid and Blitz in Doha. Marginally ahead of Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa in classical ratings, he has raced away from them in speed chess.
No Indian other than Anand came close to cracking the code in rapid and blitz. Despite all their achievements in the longest format, Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa are yet to become serious contenders in the shorter versions at the highest level.
Long hailed as India’s best bet in rapid and blitz, Erigaisi gave a display of maturity and prowess in Doha with the double-bronze feat. He topped the league standings in blitz before losing in the semi-finals. This lifted the 22-year-old to world No. 3 in rapid and No. 7 in blitz.
Eyes will also be on a five-time former world champion taking on ‘Vishy’s Children’. This is a unique competition pitting the guru against his disciples. Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, Vidit Gujrathi and Aravindh Chithambaram all benefited from their interactions with Anand. These games will be closely followed.
As far as Erigaisi’s nearest rivals go, they are not Indians. Wei Yi of China is ranked fourth in rapid and 21st in blitz. He defeated the Indian in a tie-break game played under rapid time control in the FIDE World Cup quarterfinal in Goa in November. He will be an obstacle again for Erigaisi.
Wesley So and Hans Niemann of the USA are the other prominent names. So is 16th in rapid and sixth in blitz. In Doha, he finished eighth and 11th in these two categories, respectively. Niemann’s ranking isn’t as high, but in the Doha rapid segment he was fourth.
The lowest-ranked player, Volodar Murzin of Russia, was the world rapid champion in 2024. There is plenty of power, pedigree and promise in this field of 10 to challenge the Indians.
Gukesh’s absence robs this event of sheen alright. There is nothing to suggest there will be a dearth of ups and downs. There are subplots making the drama potentially gripping.
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