Carlsen and Lagno Lead Tata Steel Chess India Blitz at Halfway Mark

The Tata Steel Chess India Blitz 2024 in Kolkata witnessed a thrilling first half, with World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and three-time World Women's Blitz champion Kateryna Lagno dominating the Open and Women's sections, respectively.

Carlsen, known for his exceptional chess prowess, started the tournament with a strong 6.5 points out of a possible 9. However, his winning streak was broken in round eight by Indian prodigy Arjun Erigaisi, who defeated him in a stunning 20-move game. Carlsen later settled for a draw against Vidit Gujarathi in the final round of the day.

India's R Praggnanandhaa, a rising star in the chess world, emerged as a strong contender, securing second place with 6 points. After losing his first three games, Praggnanandhaa displayed remarkable resilience, winning six consecutive games to close the gap on Carlsen.

Arjun Erigaisi and Russia's Daniil Dubov are tied for third place with 5.5 points each. Erigaisi's victory over Carlsen was a major upset, showcasing his potential as a future chess champion.

In the Women's section, Lagno maintained an undefeated streak, accumulating 7 points with five wins and four draws. Valentina Gunina trails her by a single point, while Rapid Champion Aleksandra Goryachkina occupies third place with 5 points.

Goryachkina had a promising start with three consecutive wins but struggled to maintain her momentum, drawing her remaining six games.

Tags: #TataSteelChessIndiaBlitz, #MagnusCarlsen, #KaterynaLagno, #RPraggnanandhaa, #ArjunErigaisi