Viswanathan Anand Returns to Competitive Play in India

Viswanathan Anand will battle against his protege D Gukesh in the seventh Tata Steel India Chess tournament from January 7 to 11. The tournament will be held in Kolkata, featuring top chess players, including five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand.

What's at stake for Viswanathan Anand?

Viswanathan Anand returns to competitive play in India after a six-year gap, having last played in this tournament in 2019. He has been associated with the tournament as a mentor over the last couple of editions.

Who are the key players?

The women's section will be headlined by World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, along with Aleksandra Goryachkina, Kateryna Lagno, Nana Dzagnidze, D Harika, and Carissa Yip. The tournament will feature a historic clash between World Champions D Gukesh and Viswanathan Anand.

Why does this matter for Viswanathan Anand?

This will be the first time the country's two World champions face each other in a closed tournament. Viswanathan Anand has not been playing regularly of late, making this tournament a significant event for him. The New Year will witness this historic clash, with Viswanathan Anand looking to make a strong comeback. As of January 7, Viswanathan Anand will begin his campaign against D Gukesh in the seventh Tata Steel India Chess. The tournament will run until January 11, featuring intense matches between top chess players.