NEW DELHI: After an exhilarating 2024, a new dawn awaits Indian chess. As it prepares for its first major event of 2025, the world's top Grandmasters have gathered in the Netherlands for the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament. Hosted in the picturesque town of Wijk aan Zee, the event will run from January 17 to February 2.
Marking its 87th edition, the tournament promises an intriguing Masters category with a stellar lineup. This year’s roster includes World no. 2 Fabiano Caruana, the newly crowned World Chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju, as well as four top-10 players and seven from the top-20.
Featuring five Indians for the first time in the tournament's history, the Masters section includes India’s No. 1, Arjun Erigaisi, alongside R Praggnanandhaa and the talented Leon Luke Mendonca.
The Masters: Line-up
Pentala Harikrishna, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Leon Luke Mendonca, Vincent Keymer, Max Warmerdam, Alexey Sarana, Wei Yi, Fabiano Caruana, Jorden van Foreest, Vladimir Fedoseev, D Gukesh, Anish Giri.
D Gukesh, who was awarded Rs 1 crore by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) during a grand felicitation ceremony and was recognised with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna on Thursday and Friday, respectively, will make his return to the board after the historic victory in Singapore last month.
D Gukesh vs Anish Giri: A mouth-watering opener
With only amateurs taking the stage on Friday, January 17, the Masters and Challengers will begin their games on Saturday. The draw for the Round 1 match pairings took place on Friday, setting up an exciting start. Gukesh will kick off his campaign with a highly anticipated clash against World no. 22 Anish Giri.
When it comes to the tournament favourites, Sreekar believes Caruana and home favourite Giri could be the frontrunners in the classical format. The list of dark horses is dominated by the Indians.
Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025: Full Schedule
Round 1 - Saturday, 18 January 2025 Pentala Harikrishna vs Arjun Erigaisi Praggnanandhaa R vs Nodirbek Abdusattorov Leon Luke Mendonca vs Vincent Keymer Max Warmerdam vs Alexey Sarana Wei Yi vs Fabiano Caruana Jorden van Foreest vs Vladimir Fedoseev Gukesh D vs Anish Giri
Round 2 - Sunday, 19 January 2025 Arjun Erigaisi vs Anish Giri Vladimir Fedoseev vs Gukesh D Fabiano Caruana vs Jorden van Foreest Alexey Sarana vs Wei Yi Vincent Keymer vs Max Warmerdam Nodirbek Abdusattorov vs Leon Luke Mendonca Pentala Harikrishna vs Praggnanandhaa R
... (Continuing with the full schedule)
