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Nihal Sarin won the Tata Steel Open Rapid in Kolkata, dedicating his emotional triumph to his late grandfather A.A. Ummar.
Nihal Sarin at the 2026 Tata Steel Chess Rapid (X/ChessBaseIndia)
Nihal Sarin won the Tata Steel Open Rapid title with tears in his eyes and his heart heavy.
The 21-year-old Grandmaster dedicated his breakthrough triumph in Kolkata to his maternal grandfather, A.A. Ummar, who passed away just a day before the final round — the man who first taught him how to play chess.
Called in at the eleventh hour as a replacement for World Champion D. Gukesh, Sarin held his nerve and held Viswanathan Anand to a mature draw in the final round, finishing outright first on 6.5 points and pushing the five-time world champion into second place.
But the result barely mattered compared to what it meant.
“Yesterday night, I got the news that my maternal grandfather, who taught me chess, had passed away,” Sarin said, visibly emotional. “He had been ill for a long time, especially over the last year. It was heartbreaking.”
Despite being in his eighties and unwell, Ummar followed Sarin’s games religiously, often staying up all night to watch him play.
“He was always a huge well-wisher,” Sarin added. “Even at 80-plus, he used to follow my games closely. I would like to dedicate this victory to him. He would have loved to see it.”
Sarin went toe-to-toe with Anand over the first two days before calmly closing the deal in the final round. Anand, now a FIDE Vice President and playing selectively, finished second on six points in his return to the event after six years. Arjun Erigaisi completed the podium with five points.
In the women’s section, Kateryna Lagno was in a class of her own, going unbeaten and sealing the title with a round to spare. Divya Deshmukh claimed bronze after a five-way tie for third.
The Tata Steel Chess India event now turns to the Blitz competition, which takes place over the weekend.
January 10, 2026, 16:38 IST
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