An emotional Nihal Sarin produced a composed and heartfelt performance to clinch the Rapid title at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament, just a day after the death of his maternal grandfather, who first introduced him to the game.
The 21-year-old sealed the Open Rapid crown in the ninth round with a mature draw against five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, finishing outright on top with 6.5 points. Sarin had entered the tournament as a replacement for world champion D Gukesh.
Victory amid personal loss
Sarin revealed that he received the news of his grandfather’s passing on the eve of the final day. Despite the emotional blow, he showed remarkable calm at the board, navigating the decisive round with clarity and resilience.
“Yesterday night, I got the news that my maternal grandfather, who taught me chess, had passed away,” Sarin said after the win. “He had been ill for a long time, especially over the last year. It was heartbreaking.”
He dedicated the title to his late grandfather, A A Ummar, describing him as his first guru and a constant supporter. “Even when he was over 80, he used to watch my games and follow chess all night. I would like to dedicate this victory to him,” Sarin added.
Podium finishes
Anand finished second in the Open Rapid standings with six points, while Arjun Erigaisi, fresh from double bronze medals at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Doha, secured third place with five points.
Women’s Rapid highlights
The women’s competition was dominated by Kateryna Lagno, who remained unbeaten throughout the event and clinched the title with a round to spare, finishing 1.5 points clear of reigning champion Aleksandra Goryachkina.
The fight for third place ended in a five-way tie, with India’s Divya Deshmukh emerging with the bronze medal after tie-break calculations.
Sarin’s triumph stood out not just for the result, but for the quiet strength he displayed—turning personal grief into a moment of sporting grace.