After Gukesh, India could have two more world chess champions in 24 hours

Two more Indians could emulate D Gukesh and become world champions in chess before the New Year. Three Indians have emerged frontrunners in the World Rapid Chess Championship in New York, which has entered its final lap.

India No. 1 Arjun Erigaisi is tied first in the men's event on 7 points from nine rounds. In the women's category, India's Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika share the lead with world champion Ju Wenjun of China after eight rounds. The unceremonious exit of reigning champion Magnus Carlsen should boost Erigaisi's chances.

The final set of games will be played after midnight Indian time. Four more rounds remain in the men's section, with the final Game 13 scheduled to begin around 4.35 a.m. The women's section has 11 rounds, meaning three more games remain to determine the winner. Game 11 is scheduled to begin around 3.30 a.m. If players finish level on points, tiebreaker systems will determine the winner.

Should Erigaisi and Humpy or Harika hold on to their lead, India could wake up Sunday morning to more great news. Gukesh triumphed in the World Chess Championship (classical format) with a victory over Ding Liren of China in Singapore on December 12.

Humpy, who is India's leading women's player, won the World Rapid Chess Championship in 2019. She finished runner-up to Anastasia Bodnaruk last year. Viswanathan Anand won the World Rapid title twice in the men's category.

The challenge ahead
Erigaisi went unbeaten on day two to climb into the joint-top spot. He defeated American Ray Robson and Armenian Shant Sargsyan and drew against Volodar Murzin and Jan-Krzysztof Duda. Murzin, Duda, and Alexander Grishchuk are also tied for first on 7 points.

Erigaisi's immediate task is to outplay the experienced Grischuk, against whom he plays black in round 10.

In the women's category, Humpy showed her class after a modest day one, in which she lost the opening round and drew the fourth. Humpy won all four of her rounds on the second day, including against compatriot Vantika Agrawal in round 6.

Harika was unbeaten in the event, and she won two and drew two more on the second day to reach the summit. Humpy plays white against Wenjun, while Harika has black against Elisabeth Paehtz of Germany in round nine.