The tension at the Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, ratcheted up a notch in Round 10 as the leading contenders battled fiercely, heading into the final rest day. While young Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh successfully defended his position at the top, the chasing pack ensured the tournament remains a thrilling sprint to the finish line.
Gukesh Maintains Unbeaten Form and Lead
World Champion D. Gukesh continued his remarkable form, securing his fifth victory of the tournament and maintaining his unbeaten run. Facing Max Warmerdam, Gukesh navigated a game that started with an unusual opening. Gukesh later commented on wanting to surprise his opponent, only to be surprised himself by Warmerdam`s choice. However, it was Warmerdam who ultimately faltered, committing a blunder that Gukesh expertly converted into a win. This crucial victory brings Gukesh`s total score to a strong 7.5 points, keeping him in sole possession of first place.
Despite the pressures of leading a prestigious event so soon after his World Championship match, Gukesh appeared remarkably composed. He shared that he was happy to be back at the board, finding it pleasant to focus on chess after a busy period at home. His comfort and passion for the game are evidently contributing to his solid performance.
The Chasers Strike Back
Just a point separates the top three players, highlighting the competitive nature of the Masters section. Nodirbek Abdusattorov, occupying second place, kept the pressure on Gukesh with a critical win against Alexey Sarana. Abdusattorov admitted the game was perhaps not his finest from a technical standpoint, even calling it his “worst” of the tournament. However, sometimes the willingness to take risks pays off, and his adventurous approach against Sarana was enough to secure the full point, bringing his score to 7.0 points and maintaining his half-point deficit to the leader.
Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa demonstrated resilience after suffering a setback in the previous round. He bounced back decisively by defeating Vladimir Fedoseev, the player who had overtaken him in the standings the day before. Praggnanandhaa expressed his desire for a “fight” in the round, knowing Fedoseev`s attacking tendencies would likely provide one. His determination paid off, earning him a valuable win and placing him back in third position with 6.5 points, just one point behind Gukesh.
Other Results Round Out the Day
While the top three saw decisive results, many other games ended in draws, as is often the case in elite tournaments where players are well-prepared and play cautiously. Indian veteran Pentala Harikrishna drew his game against the formidable Fabiano Caruana, a result that, while respectable, makes a final push for the top spots challenging. Arjun Erigaisi also drew his game against Vincent Keymer. Leon Luke Mendonca drew with Anish Giri, continuing his run alongside Erigaisi towards the bottom of the standings, perhaps gaining valuable experience rather than points in this demanding event.
In the Challengers section, India`s R. Vaishali faced a tough battle, ultimately losing a lengthy 76-move game against the current leader, Thai Dai Van Nguyen.
Tata Steel Masters Standings After Round 10:
- Dommaraju Gukesh: 7.5 points
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov: 7.0 points
- R Praggnanandhaa: 6.5 points
- Vladimir Fedoseev: 6.0 points
- Fabiano Caruana: 5.5 points
- Wei Yi: 5.5 points
- Anish Giri: 5.0 points
- Alexey Sarana: 5.0 points
- Pentala Harikrishna: 4.5 points
- Jordan van Foreest: 4.0 points
- Vincent Keymer: 4.0 points
- Max Warmerdam: 3.5 points
- Leon Luke Mendonca: 3.0 points
- Arjun Erigaisi: 3.0 points
With only a few rounds remaining after the final rest day, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the Tata Steel Chess Masters. Gukesh holds the advantage, but Abdusattorov and Praggnanandhaa have shown they are ready to fight for every half point.
Tristan Blackwood