With tremendous courage, Nihal chose to continue and ended up winning the Rapid event at the 2026 Tata Steel Chess India Rapid and Blitz tournament. Eager for opportunities and unaware of the impending tragedy, Nihal straightaway said yes to the event at the 11th hour. Nihal Sarin shakes hands with Viswanathan Anand at the TATA Steel Chess. (PHOTO: Lennart Ootes) Nihal Sarin shakes hands with Viswanathan Anand at the TATA Steel Chess. The replacement player clinched the Rapid title ahead of Viswanathan Anand and Arjun Erigaisi, dedicating his victory to his grandfather.

Source: Indian Express January 10, 2026 22:39 UTC