Nihal Sarin has emerged as the champion of the 2026 Tata Steel Chess India rapid tournament. The event, held in Kolkata, concluded on a highly emotional note for the young Grandmaster.
Just one day before his victory, on Thursday night, Nihal suffered a personal tragedy. His maternal grandfather passed away following a long illness. This loss was deeply significant for Nihal, as his grandfather was the person who introduced him to the world of chess.
Despite the grief, Nihal showed immense mental strength. He managed to hold his nerves and deliver a championship-winning performance on the final day.
A Tribute to His First Teacher
Speaking on the live stream after his win, Nihal opened up about the bond he shared with his grandfather. He credited his late grandfather as the sole reason he started playing the sport.
“He was the one who taught me chess, he taught me how the pieces move,” Nihal shared.
He explained that as a young child, he was very energetic and restless. “When I was five, I used to be a very restless kid, and my grandfather introduced me to chess to make me calm down a bit, and that’s how it started.”
Nihal noted that his grandfather absolutely loved the game. In a touching gesture, the young champion dedicated the title to his memory.
From Substitute to Champion
This victory marks the second time Nihal has won this specific rapid tournament. His first win came in 2022. However, his path to the trophy this year was unexpected.
originally, Nihal was not even on the player list. He was called in as a last-minute replacement. He stepped in to fill the spot left by World Champion D Gukesh, who had withdrawn from the tournament just a week before it began.
A Remarkable Comeback
Nihal’s start to the tournament was far from perfect. On the opening day, he struggled to find his rhythm. across three rounds, he only managed to score 1.5 points. At that stage, a tournament victory looked unlikely.
However, the second day was a different story. Nihal came roaring back into contention. In the remaining six rounds, he secured four impressive wins and two draws.
Nihal spoke candidly about his preparation—or lack thereof—for the event. He admitted that on Day 1, he prepared for about five minutes. By Day 2, he decided to stop preparing altogether.
“The games went up and down. All that matters in chess is who makes the last move, and luckily on that second day, it wasn’t me,” he remarked.
His resurgence included victories against strong opponents like Hans Niemann, Volodar Murzin, and Vidit Gujrathi.
The Final Showdown with Anand
Going into the final day, the competition was fierce. The legendary five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand was having an excellent tournament and was in joint lead.
Nihal kept his momentum going. He secured a draw against Praggnanandhaa and then scored a crucial, decisive win against Wesley So. This set up a dramatic final round.
In the last game, Nihal faced Anand. The scenario was clear: Nihal only needed a draw to seal the championship. He played with absolute professionalism. He did not give the veteran Anand any chances to complicate the game. The match ended in a draw, securing the title for Nihal.
Mutual Respect Between Generations
Even though they were rivals for the title, there was immense respect between the two players.
Anand had played superbly throughout the event. He managed his time well and found great positions. However, a loss to Arjun Erigaisi the previous day proved costly. In that game, Anand had a strong position but let it slip away. That loss opened the door for Nihal to take the lead.
Despite the outcome, Anand praised Nihal’s performance. He specifically highlighted how well Nihal converted his endgame against Vidit Gujrathi earlier in the week, stating he deserved the title.
Nihal, in turn, expressed his awe for the 56-year-old legend. “I’m absolutely not surprised that his class is very much visible, that class is permanent,” Nihal said. “For him to do this at his age is mind-blowing. But for me, everything he does is mind-blowing.”
A Strong Start to 2026
This victory continues a fantastic run of form for Nihal Sarin across all chess formats.
Just last month, he won the President’s Cup in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. That result was a major milestone, as it pushed his classical rating past the elite 2700 mark. He is now ranked among the top five Indian players in classical chess, surpassing Vidit Gujrathi. The only Indians ahead of him on the list are Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Anand.
Following his win in Tashkent, he performed well at the World Rapid & Blitz Championships in Doha in late December. He narrowly missed out on the knockout rounds of the blitz event after a draw with Erigaisi in the final round.
Conclusion
With this emotional and impressive win in Kolkata, Nihal Sarin has made a powerful statement at the start of 2026. As the chess world enters a new cycle leading toward the 2028 World Championships, Nihal has proven he is in top form. His ability to perform under pressure, especially in faster time controls, suggests he will be a strong contender for a Candidates spot in the near future.
