Reigning world chess champion D. Gukesh has withdrawn from the upcoming Tata Steel Chess India 2026, scheduled to be held in Kolkata from January 7 to 11, citing personal reasons.
The organisers of the rapid and blitz tournament confirmed the development on Friday through an official statement on social media, saying that Gukesh would be unable to participate in this year’s edition of the event.
To fill the vacant spot, grandmaster Nihal Sarin has been named as Gukesh’s replacement, ensuring that the tournament retains a strong Indian presence in the men’s field.
Despite Gukesh’s absence, the event remains star-studded. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand will return to competitive action as a player after serving as the tournament’s ambassador in recent years. He will be joined by top Indian grandmasters R. Pragganandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Aravindh Chithambaram.
The international line-up in the men’s section includes Wesley So, Wei Yi, Volodar Murzin, and Hans Niemann, adding global depth to the competition.
In the women’s event, World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh will be one of the key attractions. She will be accompanied by Indian players R. Vaishali, D. Harika, Vantika Agrawal, and Rakshitta Ravi. International stars such as Aleksandra Goryachkina, Kateryna Lagno, Nana Dzagnidze, Carissa Yip, and Stavroula Tsolakido complete a highly competitive field.
While fans will miss seeing Gukesh in action, the Tata Steel Chess India 2026 promises high-quality battles and a showcase of elite chess talent from around the world.
