The Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025 in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, continues to deliver high-stakes drama. Following the conclusion of Round 7, a significant shift occurred at the top of the leaderboard, with Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh securing a critical full point to join the tournament leaders.
Gukesh`s Decisive Win
Gukesh faced compatriot Pentala Harikrishna in a keenly watched encounter. Intriguingly, Harikrishna served as one of Gukesh`s seconds during the lead-up to the World Championship match. This wasn`t the first time in this tournament Gukesh had been pitted against one of his support team, having previously overcome Vincent Keymer.
The game itself saw Harikrishna employ the French Defense, an opening often associated with World Champion Ding Liren. However, Gukesh appeared well-prepared. The turning point arrived around move 15 when Harikrishna made an imprecise move. This allowed Gukesh to gain a tangible advantage from the opening phase.
Converting an advantage, especially at the elite level, is rarely simple. Gukesh demonstrated patience and technical skill, systematically improving his position. Despite facing a strong opponent, he navigated the complexities effectively and secured the victory after 45 moves. A win is a win, particularly one that proves so impactful on the standings.
The Leading Pack and Other Results
Gukesh`s victory propelled him to 5 points, placing him in a three-way tie for first place. He joins fellow Indian talent R Praggnanandhaa and Uzbek prodigy Nodirbek Abdusattorov at the summit. Neither Praggnanandhaa nor Abdusattorov managed decisive results in Round 7; Praggnanandhaa played a quick draw against Jordan van Foreest, while Abdusattorov drew with Anish Giri. These draws meant Gukesh`s win directly translated into a share of the lead.
Elsewhere in Round 7, there were other noteworthy outcomes. Dutch player Max Warmerdam achieved a victory over Arjun Erigaisi. This result unfortunately extends a difficult run for Erigaisi at Wijk Aan Zee; across the 2023 and 2025 editions, he is now on a streak of 20 games without a win in the Masters section. This challenging performance has impacted his live rating and, at least temporarily, seen him lose his position as India`s highest-rated player.
Veteran Vladimir Fedoseev also scored a full point, defeating Vincent Keymer. Other games saw draws: Wei Yi vs. Leon Luke Mendonca, and Fabiano Caruana vs. Alexey Sarana.
Standings Snapshot After Round 7
The standings reflect the intense competition at the top:
- Tied for 1st (5 points): Dommaraju Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov
- 4.5 points: Vladimir Fedoseev
- 4 points: Alexey Sarana
- 3.5 points: Wei Yi, Pentala Harikrishna, Fabiano Caruana
- 3 points: Anish Giri, Max Warmerdam, Vincent Keymer
- 2.5 points: Jordan van Foreest
- 2 points: Leon Luke Mendonca
- 1.5 points: Arjun Erigaisi
The bottom half of the table sees a cluster of players, with Erigaisi currently anchoring the field after a difficult start to the tournament.
Looking Ahead: A Potential Title Decider?
With the field tightly packed at the top and the second half of the tournament commencing, the next round promises significant fireworks. Round 8 features a highly anticipated clash between two of the co-leaders: Dommaraju Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa. A direct battle between two young Indian stars vying for the prestigious Tata Steel title could very well be a pivotal moment determining the eventual champion.
Chess fans can look forward to a thrilling continuation of the Masters section as the players navigate the remaining rounds in pursuit of glory in Wijk Aan Zee.
Tristan Blackwood