HIL: The Hockey India League starts with Team Gonasika up against Delhi SG Pipers at 8:15 PM. Chess: FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship is underway in New York, USA. PKL: Haryana Steelers and Patna Pirates qualify for the PKL 11 final. ISL: Mohammedan and Odisha play out a goalless draw.

Indian chess has seen an unprecedented surge in 2024, with notable achievements including Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi's victories over Magnus Carlsen, Gukesh winning the Candidates Tournament, and both men's and women's teams securing gold at the Chess Olympiads.

The biggest surprise of the day came in the second round when Raunak Sadhwani defeated Alireza Firouzja Shivam Verma Updated : Dec 28, 2024, 10:35 AM IST The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship kicked off on Wall Street in New York with some surprising moments and exciting matches.

Russians Volodar Murzin and Alexander Grischuk along with Duda Jan-Kryzstof of Poland share the lead with Arjun on seven points after the end of the second day and round 9 of the championship, which will decide the best player of the planet after 13 games.

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi faces tough competition at the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship, aiming to stay in contention for the 2026 Candidates' Tournament. Top players like Magnus Carlsen,