Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands – The prestigious 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters tournament delivered a dynamic fifth round, marked by a protracted battle at the top, a key win for the reigning world champion, and a significant upset that reshuffled the chasing pack.
Indian prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh secured his second victory of the event, a hard-fought effort that lasted over six hours and spanned 72 moves. His opponent? None other than German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer, who served as Gukesh`s second during his successful World Championship campaign just last month. The competitive nature of elite chess means past collaborations are momentarily set aside. Gukesh patiently navigated the complex endgame, converting a material advantage to claim the full point and close the gap on the tournament leaders.
Meanwhile, the top of the leaderboard saw a change. R Praggnanandhaa, who held the sole lead entering the round, opted for a cautious approach in his game against Max Warmerdam, resulting in an uneventful draw. This allowed Uzbek sensation Nodirbek Abdusattorov to catch up. Abdusattorov played a sharp, decisive game against local player Jordan van Foreest, emerging victorious to join Praggnanandhaa at the summit with 4 points from 5 rounds.
The round also featured a notable upset: Vladimir Fedoseev defeated the highly-rated Fabiano Caruana. This crucial win propelled Fedoseev to 3.5 points, drawing him level with Gukesh and intensifying the competition just behind the leaders. Other results included draws for Arjun Erigaisi and Leon Luke Mendonca, and a quiet split point between Pentala Harikrishna and Wei Yi.
Looking ahead, the next round promises a pivotal clash as Dommaraju Gukesh faces co-leader Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Gukesh, reflecting on the significance of the event, stated, “For any chess player winning Tata Steel is one dream… A grandmaster has to win Wijk aan Zee before dying!” This sentiment underscores the high stakes and historical importance players place on this tournament.
As the tournament heads into a rest day, the standings reflect a tight race, particularly at the top, setting the stage for an exciting continuation.
Standings After Round 5:
- R Praggnanandhaa: 4
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov: 4
- Dommaraju Gukesh: 3.5
- Vladimir Fedoseev: 3.5
- Pentala Harikrishna: 3
- Fabiano Caruana: 2.5
- Vincent Keymer: 2.5
- Wei Yi: 2.5
- Alexey Sarana: 2.5
- Anish Giri: 2
- Jordan van Foreest: 1.5
- Max Warmerdam: 1.5
- Leon Luke Mendonca: 1
- Arjun Erigaisi: 1
