Sarin and Lagno win Rapid, Anand second

An emotional Nihal Sarin went on to win the Tata Chess rapid title a day after the death of his grandfather on Friday, January 9. Sarin produced a composed and emotionally charged performance to lift the Rapid title at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament on Friday, achieving the feat just a day after losing his maternal grandfather — the person who first introduced him to chess.

The 21-year-old wrapped up the Open Rapid crown in the ninth round by settling for a mature draw against five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, a result that secured him the top spot outright with 6.5 points. Sarin had come into the tournament as a replacement for World champion D Gukesh.

Anand finished the event in second place on six points, while Arjun Erigaisi, who recently claimed double bronze medals at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Doha, rounded off the podium with five points.