In a Round 6 of the Tata Steel Chess Masters that saw tranquil play dominate many boards, Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh was forced to demonstrate exceptional resilience. Facing Uzbekistan`s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Gukesh found himself in significant trouble during the middle game, a situation that threatened to derail his strong start to the prestigious Wijk Aan Zee tournament.
Abdusattorov, playing with precision, had built up what appeared to be a winning advantage. Spectators and commentators alike braced for Gukesh`s first defeat of the event. However, the young Indian prodigy showcased defensive capabilities worthy of his elite status, navigating the complexities of the position with composure under immense pressure. His stubborn and accurate defense ultimately allowed him to salvage a draw from a game that, by all technical assessments, should have gone the other way.
This hard-fought half-point proved crucial. In a tournament where every game matters, particularly in a tight race, escaping a losing position is arguably as valuable as securing a win. The draw ensures Gukesh remains firmly within striking distance of the leaders, maintaining his momentum and keeping his aspirations for the title alive.
A Round of Shared Points
Round 6 was characterized by a distinct lack of decisive results across the Masters section. Six out of the seven games concluded in draws, suggesting a day of cautious approaches or perhaps robust preparation leading to mutual annihilation of winning chances. Even joint leader R Praggnanandhaa could not find a way to break through against Wei Yi, settling for a draw that kept him tied at the top.
The lone winner of the round was Alexey Sarana, who delivered a sharp performance to defeat Vladimir Fedoseev. This result was significant, particularly as Fedoseev had been enjoying a strong run in the tournament prior to this game. Sarana`s victory provided the only exception to the day`s trend of shared points.
Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi continued his challenging tournament, also drawing his game against seasoned campaigner Fabiano Caruana. Erigaisi is still seeking his first win and currently finds himself towards the bottom of the standings, a stark contrast to Gukesh`s position near the top.
Other Indian participants, Pentala Harikrishna and Leon Luke Mendonca, also concluded their respective games against Dutch opponents Jordan van Foreest and Max Warmerdam with draws, contributing to the overall drawing percentage of the round.
Standings Remain Tight
Following Round 6, the standings reflect the tightly contested nature of the event. R Praggnanandhaa and Nodirbek Abdusattorov share the lead with 4.5 points each. Dommaraju Gukesh is positioned just half a point behind with 4 points, a testament to his ability to fight in difficult situations. A cluster of players, including Sarana and Harikrishna, sit slightly further back, ensuring the race for the top spots remains wide open as the tournament progresses into its second half.
Gukesh`s escape serves as a reminder that in top-level chess, resilience can be as critical a skill as aggressive calculation. His ability to hold a draw from a losing position could prove invaluable in the final standings of this demanding tournament.
Dominic Ashworth