The Indian chess players are really having good time. Today on the inauguration day of Tata Steel Chess India tournament, 2 young Indian chess player – Vantika Agrawal and Divya Deshmukh who has replaced Vaishali R jointly top the table with 2.5 points out of 3 at the rapid category.
This is year at the women’s tournament world champion Wenjun Ju made her debut in India. The field also includes last year’s sensational performers like IM Vantika Agrawal and WGM Savitha Shri along with experienced campaigners like GM Krush Irina, GM Ushenina Anna and GM Nino Batsiashvili. The Georgian, Batsiashvili comes in with pleasant memories playing in India, thanks to a brilliant show in the 2022 Olympiad where she won individual gold.
The women’s event will run from August 31 until September 4, 2023.
RAPID: Round 1
IM Divya Deshmukh made early inroads by taking down India No. 2 GM Harika Dronavalli with the black pieces. The other decisive result in the round was in the game between Georgian GM Nino Batsiashvili and the Russian IM Shuvalova Polina. Playing a London-like opening setup, Batsiashvili got a pleasant position out of the opening with good attacking chances. India Number 1 Humpy drew against Current World Champion, Ju Wenjun. G
Round 2
In round 2, GM Krush Irina showed her class as she overcame one of the tournament favourites, GM Koneru Humpy. IM Shuvalova Polina won her first game of the event with a clean victory over WGM Savitha Shri. IM Vantika Agrawal played a fine game to overcome GM Ushenina Anna. IM Divya Deshmukh held reigning World Champion, Ju Wenjun to a draw
Round 3
Round 3 saw Ju Wenjun bring up her first victory on Indian soil as she overcame US GM Irina Krush. IM Vantika Agrawal ended the day on a high with a victory over GM Koneru Humpy to take the lead with 2.5/3. IM Divya Deshumkh also closed in on a great day 1 with a victory over GM Nino Batsiashvili with the black pieces to join Vantika Agrawal at the top.
