by Shahid Ahmed for Chessbase India
India no.3 GM Arjun Erigaisi won Tata Steel Chess India 2022 Blitz with a round to spare 12.5/18. His score is the same as Nakamura and Anand tied in the 2018 edition of this event. Arjun scored two crucial wins on the final day against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in Round 15 and Hikaru Nakamura in Round 17. Bouncing back against the new World Fischer Random champion after suffering a loss against Iran no.1 Parham Maghsoodloo in Round 16 is where Arjun showed what champions are made of. This is Arjun's third Tata Steel event triumph. First one was - Rapid 2021, then Challengers in early 2022 and now this. The teenager is now World no.10 in Blitz in the live ratings. One thing is for sure, this year the World Rapid and Blitz is surely going to be an exciting event, thanks to these impactful performances. Photo: Lennart Ootes
Arjun wins his third Tata Steel event
"Yes for sure. It feels very good to finish first and second last year (Blitz) as well as this year (Rapid). I was slightly upset with my performance in Rapid but I am happy that I won the Blitz event." - Arjun Erigaisi on winning Tata Steel Chess India 2021 Rapid, 84th Tata Steel Chess Challengers earlier this year in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands and now Tata Steel Chess India 2022 Blitz. "The previous game, I think I shouldn't have lost to Parham. I had a very good position. I should have at least drawn that game. I was super upset after that, I didn't know how I managed to compose myself. I was even thinking to maybe try to make a quiet draw but I went for a very sharp line. I got a better position but it was a very topsy-turvy game. I was lost at some point. It was filled with mutual errors but I am fortunate that I managed to come out on top in the end. I am very thankful to Tata Steel for inviting me. It actually all started here last year in Kolkata, then I won the Wijk Challengers and this went well also. I will be playing in the Masters next year. So I really look forward to it." - Arjun on the importance of the game against Hikaru Nakamura in the penutlimate round, the precursor and aftermath of it.
Tata Steel Chess India 2022 Blitz winner - GM Arjun Erigaisi | Photo: Lennart Ootes
"I believe it's the same inside as well but there are some exceptions obviously. I think I just collapsed after the game against Parham. Also with Hikaru, I did show some emotions after the game." - Arjun on his composure during tense situations.
Tata Steel Chess India 2022 Rapid winner - GM Nihal Sarin | Photo: Lennart Ootes
"I am extremely happy to win the event. I did not expect to do so well in Rapid honestly. That was a very pleasant surprise. I really managed to play well. Blitz did not go so well at all. Still I am very happy overall and I want to thank Tata Steel for giving me the opportunity to play in this wonderful field, also my sponsor Akshayakalpa for the support." - Nihal Sarin on winning Tata Steel Chess India 2022 Rapid. "Just generally, I haven't done so well in Rapid." - Nihal when asked why he did not expect to do so well in Rapid.
