Kolkata: Nihal Sarin put in a commanding performance to win the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid 2026 title on Friday, finishing on 6.5/9 with a performance rating of 2839 – half a point clear of the field.
The 21-year-old from Kerala opened the final day by splitting points with R Praggnanandhaa before taking apart Wesley So (USA) in the afternoon round. He sealed the crown by drawing his last game with Viswanathan Anand, the only player who still had a mathematical chance to overtake him.
Anand wrapped up his day with three draws – first against Vidit Gujrathi, then Praggnanandhaa, and finally Sarin – to secure second place.
Arjun Erigaisi completed the podium with 5/9, taking third on tie-break over Wesley So and Hans Niemann (US).
GM Divya Deshmukh delivered a strong surge at the close, collecting 2.5 points from her last three games to reach 4.5/9 and claim third spot with an even 50%. The action now switches to blitz, with nine rounds scheduled on the final day.
Women’s section: Russian GM Kateryna Lagno dominated the women’s rapid competition, finishing unbeaten on 6.5/9 to take first place. World Rapid champion 2025 GM Aleksandra Goryachkina secured second with 5/9. FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 winner GM Divya Deshmukh took third on superior tie-breaks after a 4.5/9 finish – matching four other players, including GM Harika Dronavalli and GM R Vaishali. Harika and Vaishali placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
