Archive · 17 Dec 2025
Anand Faces Gukesh in Tata Steel Chess India
A big chess tournament called Tata Steel Chess India is happening in Kolkata from January 7 to 11.
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand is coming back to play after six years.
He will play against his student and current world champion D. Gukesh.
This is the first time they will play against each other in a tournament in India.
The tournament has both men's and women's sections with fast-paced chess games.
Many other famous chess players from India and around the world will also be playing.
Anand is excited to play against the new generation of chess players in India.
Viswanathan Anand returns to competitive chess after a six-year hiatus at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament.
Anand will face his protege and current world champion D. Gukesh in a mentor versus protege contest.
The tournament will be held in Kolkata from 7 to 11 January, featuring both Open and Women’s sections in rapid and blitz formats.
Other notable participants include Wei Yi, Wesley So, Hans Niemann, Volodar Murzin, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and several top Indian and international players.
This is the first time Anand and Gukesh will face each other in an individual tournament on Indian soil.
- Who
- Viswanathan Anand and D. Gukesh
- What
- Tata Steel Chess India tournament
- When
- 7 to 11 January
- Where
- Kolkata, India
- Why
- Anand's return to competitive chess after six years and a mentor versus protege contest
- Event
- Tata Steel Chess India
- Date
- 7 to 11 January
- Location
- Kolkata, India
- Participants
- Viswanathan Anand, D. Gukesh, Wei Yi, Wesley So, Hans Niemann, Volodar Murzin, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Aravindh Chithambaram, Divya Deshmukh, Vaishali R, Vantika Agrawal, Rakshitta Ravi, Divya, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Kateryna Lagno, Nana Dzagnidze, D. Harika, Carissa Yip
- Format
- Rapid and Blitz
- Prize Money
- Equal for Open and Women’s sections
- Venue
- Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium
- Significance
- First time Anand and Gukesh face each other in an individual tournament on Indian soil
Sources
Global Chess League 2025: When D Gukesh picked a fight on the board that ‘Vishy sir’ won
GCL: Fyers American Gambits Beat Triveni Continental Kings In Last-Gasp Thriller, Ganges Grandmasters Continue Winning
Anand returns after six years to face world champion Gukesh at Tata Steel Chess India
