GM Nihal Sarin and GM Nana Dzagnidze are within the sole leads of their respective teams with an an identical 4.5 factors from six video games within the 2022 Tata Steel Chess India Open Rapid and 2022 Tata Steel Chess India Women’s Rapid.

Overnight chief GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov had a tricky day with two losses and a draw, however joined GM Arjun Erigaisi to comply with the chief on 3.5 factors, giving Nihal a full-point lead going into the ultimate day of the speedy tomorrow. In the ladies’s part, Dzagnidze is trailed by GM Humpy Koneru, GM Mariya Muzychuk, GM Anna Ushenina, and IM Vaishali Rameshbabu, all simply half a degree behind.

The occasion continues on Dec 01 at 22:30 p.m. PT/Dec 01 at 07:30 CET.

Open

After scoring two and a half factors out of three video games on the second day and capturing the only lead, Nihal appeared on the stay commentary and was requested which was his favourite among the many wins in opposition to GM Gukesh D and GM S P Sethuraman. He replied with attribute modesty, “I did not play very nicely in both of the video games, however most likely the primary one (in opposition to Gukesh) was sounder,” prompting GM Viswanathan Anand to quip with a chuckle: “He did not play very nicely in both of the video games—what do you do with him?!” 

So how does a typical Nihal “not very nicely performed” recreation seem like? Let’s take a look:

It was a day of resurgence for GM Hikaru Nakamura, who scored two wins and a draw, and his win within the very first recreation of the day in opposition to the previous chief Mamedyarov earned very excessive reward from Anand.

Anand assessed 28.e5 because the pivotal second of the sport and remarked: “Full marks to Hikaru. Almost trademark Hikaru: … Some quiet place he performs. And he converts effectively. After e5 he managed the place simply brilliantly. Improved the place with the identical tempo as Shakhriyar and by no means let him again into the sport.”

And that essential recreation is our Game Of The Day:

After the top of the day’s play, when Anand quizzed Nakamura about his path to a comeback after a troublesome first day within the match, the American grandmster got here up with a jaw-dropping revelation: “[After the game yesterday,] I fell asleep at eight [p.m.], … awoke at … 2.40 [a.m] and Titled Tuesday started at 3.00 [a.m.] and I made a decision to play this! … I continued my very poor kind for a few video games and I performed myself into an excellent kind … And then I simply performed blitz for about seven hours[!] … I went to sleep at 11 [a.m.] and slept until the spherical. So, … fascinating 24 hours!”

Anand additional requested him: “Is that the key of recent chess?”

“It’s simply two issues. Obviously, I’m jet-lagged. And it is just a little bit like a automobile—if you end up making an attempt to begin a automobile, and it will not begin. I simply felt that after yesterday … I believed that enjoying blitz would assist me get into kind if something, and it appears to have labored!”

He additional added: “When you play blitz … you make split-second choices. … When we play increasingly, I feel it helps the reactions. … When I performed like 5 to 6 hours (of blitz), ultimately you discover your kind and determine learn how to make higher choices. Normally I will not do that, but it surely appeared one thing to check out, so why not.” Why not, certainly!

 … When I performed like 5 to 6 hours [of blitz], ultimately you discover your kind and determine learn how to make higher choices.

—Hikaru Nakamura

All Games Open – Day 2

Standings

Women’s

Overnight chief Dzagnidze had an identical course as on the primary day, bringing all her defensive expertise to the board and placing her greatest foot ahead when the chips have been down. She was severely examined in her recreation in opposition to Koneru within the sixth spherical the place she appeared to be in hassle proper out of the opening:

This eventful recreation enabled her to maintain her slender half-point going into the ultimate day.

Dzagnidze has been below various ranges of stress in nearly all her video games within the match thus far, and what’s the secret of her protection? She was amused by this query through the press convention: “Secret of my protection? [Chuckles] I do not know! I’m simply making an attempt to play the perfect strikes which I can see through the recreation. I haven’t got any particular secret,” a practical reply.

I’m simply making an attempt to play the perfect strikes which I can see through the recreation. I haven’t got any particular secret.

—Nana Dzagnidze

Another curious incident occurred within the recreation between GM Anna Muzyuchuk and Vaishali:

While the sport was on, spectators within the auditorium have been puzzled because it wasn’t clear what precisely occurred. To her credit score, Vaishali freely admitted on the press convention: “I simply made an unlawful transfer! … I performed [59…]Nd6 and pressed the clock. I did not notice it was an unlawful transfer!”

All Games Women’s – Day 2

Standings

The 2022 Tata Steel Chess India Rapid and Women’s Rapid are two of India’s most prestigious speedy chess occasions. Players compete in a 10-player round-robin in speedy video games with a 15+10 time management. The prize fund for every occasion is $24,000.

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