Report by Colin McGourty for chess.com
When GM Magnus Carlsen began with 5.5/6, crossed 2900, and took the sole lead in the 2024 Tata Steel Chess India Open Blitz, it looked like another perfect day at the office, but the world number-one ended with a 20-move loss to GM Arjun Erigaisi and nearly losing to GM Vidit Gujrathi. He goes into day two with only a half-point lead over GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, who stormed back from three losses to win six in a row.
GM Kateryna Lagno is the only unbeaten player in either section and leads the 2024 Tata Steel Chess India Women's Blitz on 7/9, a full point ahead of GM Valentina Gunina, whom she beat in the final round of the day. Rapid winner GM Aleksandra Goryachkina started with 3/3, then didn't win another game, and is another point back in third.
The final day's action starts on Sunday, November 17, at 3:30 a.m. ET/09:30 CET/2 p.m. IST.
- Open Blitz: Praggnanandhaa Chases Carlsen After Arjun Beats Leader
- Women's Blitz: Unbeaten Lagno Leads Gunina By A Point
Tata Steel Chess India Blitz Open: Standings After Day 1
Tata Steel Chess India Blitz Women: Standings After Day 1
For Blitz Day 1, spectators were sitting in the aisles. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Tata Steel Chess India.
