Round 4 of the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk Aan Zee delivered a mixed bag of results, none more significant than R Praggnanandhaa seizing the outright lead with a clinical victory. While the young Indian star continued his ascent in the Dutch chess battleground, his compatriots experienced varying fortunes, highlighting the demanding nature of this elite tournament.
Praggnanandhaa`s Streak Continues
R Praggnanandhaa cemented his position at the top of the leaderboard by securing his third consecutive win. Facing his younger countryman Leon Luke Mendonca, Praggnanandhaa navigated a Ruy Lopez opening with precision and confidence. The game saw Mendonca grappling with positional difficulties, eventually committing an inaccuracy on move 24 that offered Praggnanandhaa a decisive opening. Capitalizing expertly on the opportunity presented, Praggnanandhaa pressed home his advantage with technical accuracy, leading to Mendonca`s resignation after 46 moves. This impressive run puts Praggnanandhaa firmly in the driver`s seat with 3.5 points out of a possible 4.
Gukesh Battles to a Draw
World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh remains undefeated in Wijk Aan Zee, though his Round 4 encounter against Alexey Sarana proved to be a true test of endurance and defensive skill. Playing with the black pieces, Gukesh faced significant pressure for the majority of the six-hour, 70-move marathon. Sarana held a material advantage at times, and the computer evaluations favored white, but Gukesh displayed remarkable tenacity and resilience, finding accurate defensive resources when needed to hold the balance and ultimately secure a hard-fought draw. His ability to defend difficult positions keeps him within striking distance of the lead with 2.5 points.
Heartbreak for Erigaisi, Harikrishna Secures Win
The most dramatic turn of the round involved Arjun Erigaisi, who suffered a heartbreaking loss to Vladimir Fedoseev. Erigaisi had seemingly built a dominant, perhaps even winning, position against his opponent, who appeared to be struggling. However, a critical misstep on move 27, sacrificing material (a moment that likely felt like stepping into a well-disguised trap), turned the tables completely. Despite his attempts to fight on for another 12 moves, Fedoseev converted his advantage with accuracy, offering Erigaisi a harsh, albeit valuable, lesson about the unforgiving nature of chess even when things seem to be going your way. He currently sits on 0.5 points.
Adding to the Indian interest, veteran Pentala Harikrishna secured a valuable win against the struggling Max Warmerdam. Harikrishna navigated the complexities of the game, employing tactical ideas. While the game saw some back-and-forth moments, Warmerdam`s endgame inaccuracies proved decisive, allowing Harikrishna to clinch the full point. This victory lifts Harikrishna to 2.5 points, keeping him firmly in the competitive pack.
Other Results Shake Up Standings
Elsewhere in the Masters section, Nodirbek Abdusattorov missed an opportunity to maintain a share of the lead, drawing his game against Wei Yi from what was reportedly a significantly advantageous position. This result allowed Praggnanandhaa to take the sole lead. Fabiano Caruana navigated a tough game against Anish Giri, notably escaping time trouble to secure a draw from a disadvantageous position. Vincent Keymer`s protracted efforts against Jordan van Foreest also ultimately resulted in a split point after a lengthy battle.
Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025: Round 4 Results
- R Praggnanandhaa 1 – 0 Leon Luke Mendonca
- Alexey Sarana 0.5 – 0.5 Dommaraju Gukesh
- Arjun Erigaisi 0 – 1 Vladimir Fedoseev
- Pentala Harikrishna 1 – 0 Max Warmerdam
- Fabiano Caruana 0.5 – 0.5 Anish Giri
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov 0.5 – 0.5 Wei Yi
- Vincent Keymer 0.5 – 0.5 Jordan van Foreest
Standings After Round 4
- R Praggnanandhaa: 3.5
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov: 3
- Fabiano Caruana: 2.5
- Dommaraju Gukesh: 2.5
- Vincent Keymer: 2.5
- Vladimir Fedoseev: 2.5
- Pentala Harikrishna: 2.5
- Wei Yi: 2
- Alexey Sarana: 2
- Anish Giri: 1.5
- Jordan van Foreest: 1.5
- Max Warmerdam: 1
- Leon Luke Mendonca: 0.5
- Arjun Erigaisi: 0.5
Tristan Blackwood