Netherlands – World Champion D Gukesh showcased his resilience in the sixth round of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, drawing a challenging game against Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa shared points with reigning champion Wei Yi of China in another crucial matchup.
With 4.5 points out of a possible six, Abdusattorov and Praggnanandhaa are now jointly leading the standings, followed closely by Gukesh with 4 points. The year’s first major chess tournament still has seven rounds remaining, keeping the competition wide open.
Gukesh’s Battle Against Abdusattorov
Gukesh and Abdusattorov engaged in a thrilling 64-move encounter that began with the Italian Opening. Abdusattorov gradually gained control in the early stages of the game, applying significant pressure on Gukesh.
The situation became precarious for Gukesh when he was forced to sacrifice a piece. Abdusattorov intensified the challenge by exchanging his knight for three pawns, creating a complex endgame scenario. However, Gukesh’s defensive prowess came to the fore, as he held his nerve and managed to secure a hard-fought draw.
Praggnanandhaa Shares Points with Wei Yi
In another key game, R Praggnanandhaa, playing with white pieces, pushed for an advantage against Wei Yi. Despite his aggressive efforts, the Chinese champion countered effectively, leading to a draw after 58 moves.
Other Key Matches
P Harikrishna shared points with Jorden Van Foreest of the Netherlands, while Arjun Erigaisi opted for a cautious approach, drawing his game against Fabiano Caruana of the United States.
Currently, Harikrishna, Serbia’s Alexey Sarana, and Slovenia’s Vladimir Fedoseev are tied for fourth place with 3.5 points each, keeping the standings highly competitive.
Tournament Outlook
With seven rounds remaining, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament promises intense action as the world’s top players compete for supremacy. Abdusattorov and Praggnanandhaa remain the frontrunners, while Gukesh’s solid form makes him a strong contender in the race for the title.
