Press Release, 26 October 2021
World champion Carlsen at Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022
World champion Magnus Carlsen will participate in the 84th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, notwithstanding the fact that he will have to defend his world title from 26 November until 14 December. The organisation of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament has announced the participants of the Tata Steel Masters 2022, except for one position. Once again amateurs will play in De Moriaan and visitors will also be welcome again. The tournament, internationally known as ‘The Wimbledon of Chess’, will take place in Wijk aan Zee from 14 January until 30 January 2022. It is not yet clear whether there will be a Chess On Tour Event for the Tata Steel Masters during this edition. The 14th participant of the Tata Steel Masters and the grandmasters of the Tata Steel Challengers will be announced in November.
Chess village once again
Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland:
"Wijk aan Zee will turn into the familiar dazzling centre of the chess world once again in January. The village will be steeped in chess, like in the old days. I am very much looking forward to this. The last edition was very successful and even had a Dutch winner, but due to the COVID-19 measures the special atmosphere was lacking in Wijk aan Zee. We are going to reintroduce it next year. Of course we will follow government policy at all times. In case additional corona measures are introduced, we will adjust the tournament accordingly."
Amateurs and visitors
Tournament director Jeroen van den Berg:
"I am delighted that we will be able to organise amateur tournaments again and will be receiving visitors as well. The mix of amateurs and grandmasters all playing their games in the hall in De Moriaan is unique in the world and creates a very special atmosphere. I am certain that chess aficionados all over the world wil rejoice at this news."
Participants Tata Steel Masters 2022
| Name | Country | Rating | World Ranking |
| Magnus Carlsen | Norway | 2855 | 1 |
| Fabiano Caruana | USA. | 2800 | 2 |
| Anish Giri | Netherlands | 2774 | 7 |
| Richard Rapport | Hungary | 2770 | 10 |
| Shakhriyar Mamedyarov | Azerbaijan | 2765 | 11 |
| Jan-Krzysztof Duda | Poland | 2756 | 15 |
| Sergey Karjakin | Russia | 2743 | 18 |
| Andrey Esipenko | Russia | 2720 | 25 |
| Daniil Dubov | Russia | 2714 | 28 |
| Samuel Shankland | USA. | 2714 | 29 |
| Jorden van Foreest | Netherlands | 2691 | 45 |
| Nils Grandelius | Sweden | 2662 | 72 |
| R. Praggnanandhaa | India | 2618 | 183 |
The ratings are the FIDE-ratings of 1 October 2021.
16-year-old super talent Praggnanandhaa from India will be at the focus of attention during the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. He has made a very good impression on the online circuit during the pandemic and now wants to challenge the world’s top players behind the board as well. 19-year-old Esipenko is also a player to follow closely. Last edition he ended third in Wijk aan Zee and even managed to beat world champion Carlsen. It will be the 18th time that Carlsen participates in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament.
Entry amateurs
The entry for participating in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament amateur groups will start on 1 November via the website of the tournament: www.tatasteelchess.com. Due to the current guidelines 70% of the number of amateur participants in pre-COVID-19 times will be allowed to participate in the Tata Steel Chess tournament 2022. This will allow for more space between the tables, so that people can pass each other at a reasonable distance. The Weekend-three-round events, the Weekday-three-round events and the Nine-round events will allow a maximum of 466 participants each. Players and visitors will be required to show their Corona Check App or to produce proof of a negative test result. There will not be a requirement to wear face-masks. The Tata Steel Masters and Tata Steel Challengers will have a separate access gate.
Steel and chess: creativity and innovation
The Tata Steel Chess Tournament has a long tradition. Starting as an employee tournament, it has grown into an international tournament of world class renown, for which grand masters and amateurs alike will clear their diaries. Tata Steel has chosen for chess, because chess entails strategic thinking and focuses on finding creative solutions for complex issues. Tata Steel has that very same focus. Steelmaking is a high-tech process with a crucial role for innovation. Tata Steel employees are continuously and relentlessly working on finding clever solutions to improve processes and products. That is how Tata Steel is able to provide top products to its customers, allowing them to distinguish themselves in their markets. At the same time Tata Steel contributes to creating a sustainable society through its product and process innovations.
For more info about the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, go to: www.tatasteelchess.com.
