Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands – The penultimate round of the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Masters delivered high drama and reshuffled the deck slightly at the top, culminating in a thrilling two-way tie for first place. After 12 intense rounds, Indian grandmasters D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa stand shoulder-to-shoulder, both accumulating 8.5 points.
Praggnanandhaa`s Momentum Builds with Third Consecutive Win
R Praggnanandhaa continued his sensational form, securing his third straight victory by defeating Alexey Sarana. Sensing a critical moment in the tournament, Praggnanandhaa approached the game with clear intent. “I really wanted to push today, and I think I got what I wanted out of the opening,” he commented afterward. The opening itself was a touch unconventional, featuring a bishop maneuver that raised eyebrows but seemed to align with Praggnanandhaa`s aggressive strategy.
The game reached a dramatic crescendo with Praggnanandhaa executing a remarkable queen sacrifice that sealed his opponent`s fate. This win not only propelled him into a share of the lead but also saw him climb to number seven in the live world ratings, a significant milestone highlighting his rapid ascent.
Gukesh Survives Scare, Holds His Ground
World Championship Challenger D Gukesh faced a formidable challenge from local favorite Jorden van Foreest. Van Foreest held an advantage for a considerable portion of the game, putting the leader under significant pressure. The game reached a point of palpable tension where momentum swung wildly within just a few moves and mere seconds on the clock. Van Foreest first missed an opportunity, ceding the advantage back to Gukesh, who, under time pressure, immediately returned the favor with an inaccuracy of his own.
However, in a frantic endgame blitz, Gukesh showcased his defensive tenacity, navigating the treacherous positions to ultimately salvage a draw. “I`m already happy today that I managed to escape this game, but everything is set up for an exciting finish,” Gukesh remarked, acknowledging the precarious nature of the encounter.
Arjun Erigaisi Breaks Through, Stuns Abdusattorov
Perhaps the most impactful result outside the leaders` games was Arjun Erigaisi`s stunning victory over Nodirbek Abdusattorov. This win marked a significant moment for Arjun, ending a remarkable streak of 24 games at the Tata Steel Masters tournament without a win. Timing, they say, is everything, and his breakthrough win came against one of the leaders, effectively knocking Abdusattorov out of the top two race and severely denting his title aspirations.
The game was closely contested until Abdusattorov committed a critical blunder in the middlegame. Arjun capitalized ruthlessly on the opening, finishing the game in style with a bishop sacrifice. It was a long-awaited and well-deserved victory for Arjun, proving he can compete with the very best and influencing the tournament`s outcome at the sharp end.
Other Results
- Leon Mendonca drew Fabiano Caruana.
- Pentala Harikrishna drew Vincent Keymer.
Heading into the Final Round
The stage is now set for a dramatic conclusion. The two leaders, Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, are tied on 8.5 points. Their pairing for the final round promises fireworks and potential tie-break scenarios:
- D Gukesh will face his compatriot, the resurgent Arjun Erigaisi, in a match where both national pride and tournament victory are on the line for Gukesh.
- R Praggnanandhaa will play Vincent Keymer, who held Harikrishna to a draw in Round 12.
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov (7.5 points) faces Pentala Harikrishna. Abdusattorov requires a win and losses from both Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa to force a potential tiebreak – a scenario that now seems unlikely but not entirely impossible in the unpredictable world of chess.
Standings After Round 12:
The leaderboard heading into the final round:
- Dommaraju Gukesh: 8.5 points
- R Praggnanandhaa: 8.5 points
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov: 7.5 points
- Vladimir Fedoseev: 7 points
- Wei Yi: 6.5 points
- Anish Giri: 6.5 points
- Fabiano Caruana: 6 points
- Pentala Harikrishna: 6 points
- Vincent Keymer: 5 points
- Jorden van Foreest: 5 points
- Alexey Sarana: 5 points
- Arjun Erigaisi: 4.5 points
- Leon Luke Mendonca: 4.5 points
- Max Warmerdam: 3.5 points
With two young Indian grandmasters leading the charge and just one round remaining, the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters is poised for a thrilling and historic finish. The chess world watches with bated breath to see who will emerge victorious from Wijk aan Zee.
Dominic Ashworth