WR Chess Masters Cup draw announced, Viswanathan Anand to face Vidit Gujrathi in Round 1

The WR Chess Masters Cup is set to take place in London from October 14-18, 2024, featuring some of the world’s top chess players in a 16-player knockout tournament.

Indian chess enthusiasts have plenty to cheer for, as five of their top players—Arjun Erigaisi, Viswanathan Anand, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Vidit Gujrathi, and Raunak Sadhwani—will be competing.

The first round promises exciting draws, particularly for Indian fans, with chess legend Viswanathan Anand facing fellow countryman Vidit Gujrathi. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi, ranked third in the world, will begin his journey against Shreyas Royal.

Praggnanandhaa, another rising star from India, will take on former world champion Veselin Topalov, while Raunak Sadhwani will battle against Alireza Firouzja, one of the world’s top young talents.

Other notable participants include Ian Nepomniachtchi, who will play Javokhir Sindarov, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who faces Victor Bologan. With four of the top 10 players in the world rankings competing, the tournament promises high-stakes action from start to finish.

WR Chess Masters Cup’s format is designed for maximum drama. Players will compete in two fast classical games, followed by an Armageddon game if necessary. In the Armageddon game, players bid for the black pieces, needing only a draw to advance.

WR Chess Masters Cup marks the start of a busy chess month, with two more major tournaments lined up. The WR Chess Masters will follow in Dubai from October 31 to November 3, and the $4 million High Roller tournament in Düsseldorf on November 21. The latter will offer a staggering $2 million prize for the winner, while the last-place finisher risks losing $1 million.

First-round fixtures for the WR Chess Masters Cup:

Viswanathan Anand vs Vidit Gujrathi
Arjun Erigaisi vs Royal
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu vs Veselin Topalov
Raunak Sadhwani vs Alireza Firouzja
Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Javokhir Sindarov
Nodirbek Abdusattorov vs Victor Bologan
Jan-Krzysztof Duda vs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
Alexandra Kosteniuk vs Sivanandan