World number-one Magnus Carlsen delivered a stunning performance at the 2024 Tata Steel Chess India Open Rapid, winning six consecutive games to secure the title with a round to spare. His journey to victory included a strategic battle against GM Vincent Keymer and a calculated win over GM Daniil Dubov.
GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who was close behind at the start of the final day, faltered with back-to-back losses to GMs Wesley So and Arjun Erigaisi. Abdusattorov missed a win against Carlsen in their final-round encounter, allowing Carlsen to finish on 7.5/9 points. GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu’s 2.5/3 score on the last day helped him secure second place, tying with Wesley So in prize money.
GM Aleksandra Goryachkina matched Carlsen’s feat in the Women’s Rapid, clinching her title with a round to spare. After a cautious 12-move draw in the opening game of the final day, she bounced back with a decisive win against IM Divya Deshmukh. Her main rival, GM Nana Dzagnidze, lost her chances after a crucial blunder against GM Valentina Gunina. Dzagnidze finished second, while IM Vantika Agrawal claimed third place. Both Carlsen and Goryachkina ended two points ahead of their nearest competitors, earning $10,000 each for their victories.
Carlsen’s victory over Keymer became a tournament highlight. Facing the young German grandmaster on his birthday, Carlsen engaged in a tense tactical battle. Although Keymer gained a material edge, Carlsen’s solitary passed pawn proved decisive in the endgame. Despite the loss, Keymer rebounded with impressive wins in his subsequent games. For Carlsen, this victory against Keymer solidified his lead and exemplified his ability to prevail in high-pressure situations.
Carlsen’s title was effectively secured in the penultimate round against Dubov. Adopting the Maroczy Bind, Carlsen managed to gradually outmaneuver his opponent and convert his advantage into a full point. This win ensured that Carlsen could not be caught, even if he lost the final round. His steady performance throughout the event reflected his exceptional form and mastery of rapid chess.
The final round against Abdusattorov, while not a title decider, provided moments of drama. Abdusattorov outplayed Carlsen for much of the game, but a critical misstep—a queen sacrifice—allowed Carlsen to escape with a draw. While Carlsen admitted to being outplayed, he capitalized on his opponent’s blunder to maintain his strong finish. Reflecting on the tournament, Carlsen expressed satisfaction with his performance, particularly in his complex win over Arjun Erigaisi on day two.
Praggnanandhaa emerged as a standout performer on the final day, defeating Arjun in the last round to reach 5.5/9. His strong finish earned him a tie with Wesley So for second place, with both players sharing $4,500 in prize money. Praggnanandhaa’s resurgence underscored his growing prowess against top-tier opponents, making him a formidable contender in future events.
In the Women’s Rapid, Dzagnidze’s bid for the title faltered due to costly errors. A blunder against Gunina dashed her hopes of catching Goryachkina, who sealed her victory with a round to spare. Goryachkina’s composed play throughout the event, coupled with her final-round win over Gunina, emphasized her dominance. Vantika Agrawal’s consistent results earned her third place, marking a significant improvement from her previous performances.
With the rapid segment concluded, the tournament now moves to the blitz rounds, where 18 games will determine the next set of champions. Carlsen, confident in his blitz abilities, looks forward to the challenge, aiming to replicate his rapid success. Goryachkina, too, will seek to maintain her momentum as competitors prepare for this faster and more unpredictable format.
