In the third leg of the 2023 Grand Chess Tour, Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand displayed his exceptional skills and shot into the lead after three rounds of the Rapid segment. The tournament, filled with anticipation and excitement, witnessed Anand’s remarkable performance as he secured two victories on Thursday, propelling him to the top of the leaderboard.
Anand, a five-time world champion, began the day with a draw against the young and talented Alireza Firouzja. However, he quickly bounced back and showcased his dominance by defeating GMs Richard Rapport and Constantin Lupulescu, both hailing from Romania. With these impressive wins, Anand accumulated a total of five points, placing him in the leading position at the end of the first day of the tournament.
Not far behind Anand in the standings, tied for second place, are the world’s number one player Magnus Carlsen, Jan-Krzystof Duda, and Richard Rapport. Each of them is just one point behind Anand, making the competition fierce and the race for the top spot highly competitive.
Meanwhile, another promising Indian talent, young GM D Gukesh, faced strong opponents in the early rounds of the tournament. Gukesh began his campaign by challenging Magnus Carlsen, ultimately losing the match in 36 moves. However, he managed to secure draws against Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alireza Firouzja. With two points, Gukesh currently holds the ninth position among the ten players participating in the event.
The highlight of the tournament will be the much-anticipated clash between Anand and his long-time rival, Magnus Carlsen, in the sixth round. This encounter is expected to captivate chess enthusiasts worldwide, as these two legendary players showcase their exceptional skills and strategic brilliance on the chessboard. Additionally, Anand will also face his fellow Indian compatriot, the talented teenager Gukesh, in the eighth round, adding an exciting dynamic to their encounter.
The Rapid segment of the tournament employs a time control of 25 minutes with an increment of 10 seconds for each move. A win in a game earns two points, while a draw results in one point for each player. Following the Rapid segment, the tournament will proceed with a blitz event, where players will have a time control of 5 minutes with an increment of 2 seconds per move. The scoring system for the blitz portion follows the traditional 1 point for a win, ½ point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.
The Grand Chess Tour is renowned for bringing together the world’s best players, showcasing their skills, and providing thrilling battles on the chessboard. With top players like Carlsen, Anand, Nepomniachtchi, and others competing, the tournament promises to be an intense and exhilarating display of chess mastery. Chess enthusiasts and fans eagerly await the upcoming rounds, as the players continue to showcase their strategic brilliance, tactical prowess, and unwavering determination to claim victory in this prestigious tournament.
