Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands – The penultimate round of the Tata Steel Chess Masters tournament concluded today, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. Round 12 saw significant shifts at the top of the leaderboard, with Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa catching up to his compatriot D Gukesh, creating a tie for first place. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi achieved a notable victory, impacting the title race.
Praggnanandhaa`s Calculated Ascent
R Praggnanandhaa continued his impressive run, securing a crucial win against Alexey Sarana. This marks Praggnanandhaa`s third consecutive victory in the tournament, a performance demonstrating strong form at a critical juncture. Following the game, Praggnanandhaa expressed a clear intention to push for a win, a strategy that paid off. His opening choice was slightly unconventional, featuring repeated early bishop moves, which he felt gave him the desired position. The game culminated in a remarkable queen sacrifice, allowing him to convert his advantage into a full point.
This win elevates Praggnanandhaa to 8.5 points, drawing level with Gukesh. It also has implications for the live world rankings, pushing him to the provisional world number seven spot, a significant career milestone.
Gukesh Navigates a Turbulent Game
Tournament co-leader D Gukesh faced Jorden van Foreest in a game that proved anything but straightforward. Van Foreest held an advantage for a considerable portion of the encounter. A late misstep by the Dutchman (39…Rxe5) appeared to hand the initiative to the World Champion, only for Gukesh to immediately return the favor with his own critical error (42…Rb1). In a rapid endgame sequence, momentum swung back and forth. Ultimately, with time pressure mounting, Gukesh managed to extract half a point, securing a draw.
Reflecting on the tense finish, Gukesh admitted his relief, stating he was “already happy today that I managed to escape this game.” Despite the precarious moments, the draw keeps him tied for the lead heading into the final round, ensuring the title race remains open.
Arjun Erigaisi Breaks Through
After a challenging tournament run, Arjun Erigaisi finally secured his first victory at the Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk aan Zee. This long-awaited win, after 24 previous attempts in this specific event format, came against a high-profile opponent, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who had been a key contender near the top of the standings. The game was relatively balanced until Abdusattorov committed a significant blunder in the middlegame (24…Qg5). Erigaisi expertly capitalized on this opportunity, concluding the game with a decisive bishop sacrifice.
Arjun`s win is a personal breakthrough and also a critical result for the tournament landscape. It significantly dents Abdusattorov`s title aspirations, pushing him out of the leading group and reshaping the race at the top.
The Final Round Showdown
The stage is now set for a dramatic conclusion. With Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa level on points, the title hinges on the results of the final round. The pairings add an extra layer of intrigue:
- Gukesh will play against his compatriot Arjun Erigaisi, who is fresh off his morale-boosting win. Gukesh must perform well knowing Praggnanandhaa is close behind.
- Praggnanandhaa faces Vincent Keymer. Keymer drew his Round 12 game and could prove a resilient opponent.
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov will play Pentala Harikrishna. For Abdusattorov to have any chance of a tie-break, he requires a win and losses by both current leaders, a scenario requiring multiple unlikely outcomes.
The competition for the coveted title remains tight, promising an exciting final day of play in Wijk aan Zee.
Tata Steel Chess Masters Standings After Round 12:
- 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
- Jordan van Foreest: 5 points
- Alexey Sarana: 5 points
- Arjun Erigaisi: 4.5 points
- Leon Luke Mendonca: 4.5 points
- Max Warmerdam: 3.5 points
