GRANDMASTER D Gukesh will face his first big test since becoming the world champion when he begins his campaign in the Tata Steel Chess tournament, which gets underway Wijk Aan Zee in The Netherlands on Friday.
After winning the World Championship in December at Singapore, Gukesh had withdrawn from the World Rapid and Blitz tournament in New York last year and will effectively return to action for the first time on Saturday after defeating China's Ding Liren.
While the pairings will be announced at the opening ceremony on Friday, as many as five Indians are taking part in the 'Wimbledon of Chess’ for the first time.
The epaulette is not without a reason as this is one of the longest-running events in the world, going back to 1938.
The 14-player, 13-rounds event will also see R Praggnanandhaa in the fray. Praggnanandhaa has probably the biggest fan base amongst the young players in the world.
World's top rated Magnus Carlsen of Norway, who got married less than two weeks back, will give the tournament another miss. (PTI)
India's Jasprit Bumrah (R) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Afghanistan's Darwish Rasooli during the third T20 international cricket match between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 17, 2026. Arun SANKAR / AFP via Getty Images
India's Jasprit Bumrah (R) bowls as Afghanistan's captain Ibrahim Zadran looks on during the third T20 international cricket match between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 17, 2026. Arun SANKAR / AFP via Getty Images
