In Chess, World champion D Gukesh will open his Tata Steel Masters campaign tomorrow against Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov in Wijk Aan Zee, in the Netherlands. Gukesh won the world title by beating China’s Ding Liren in 2024. He finished second at the Tata Steel Masters last year after losing a tie-break to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa.

Defending champion Praggnanandhaa is the only Indian to qualify for the upcoming Candidates. Top seed Arjun Erigaisi is India’s highest-rated player and is chasing his first title here. Aravindh Chithambaram completes the Indian lineup.