Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz Open tournament will be held from January 7 – 11, 2026 at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, Kolkata. Former World Champion and other elite Grandmasters will be seen in action this year. In the last edition of the tournament, Magnus Carlsen won both the Rapid and Blitz in Open category while Aleksandra Goryachkina won the Rapid and Kateryna Lagno won the Blitz in the women .
Former five-time World Champion, Viswanathan Anand, will be seen once again in action at the Tata Steel Chess India after 6 long years. This year, Anand will be challenged by top-ranked players, including India’s young brigade – many of whom he has trained extensively and who have made a strong impact on the international chess scene.
Mr Viswanathan Anand, on his participation in the tournament said, “I am really very excited to be back at Tata Steel Chess India as a player after a gap of 6 years. Within this period, the world of chess has changed massively with the emergence of talented players across the country specially in India. I am really excited to accept the challenge from the young chess prodigy in this marquee tournament of India.”
