New Delhi: World champion D Gukesh suffered another setback at the Tata Steel Masters on Wednesday, going down to Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum in the ninth round, while Arjun Erigaisi was held to a quick draw by American GM Hans Moke Niemann.
The most striking performance of the day came from Jorden van Foreest, a former Tata Steel winner and long regarded as the Netherlands’ strongest player after Anish Giri. Van Foreest dismantled Vincent Keymer of Germany in a sharp encounter that arose from an irregular queen’s pawn opening.
World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov split the point with sole leader Nodirbek Abdusattorov in an all-Uzbek clash, allowing Abdusattorov to retain the lead on six points, according to reports.
Sindarov moved into joint second place on 5.5 points alongside former champion Jorden van Foreest of the Netherlands and Turkey’s Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. With four rounds remaining, Niemann follows closely behind.
Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, and Erigaisi remain on four points each, continuing a difficult phase in the tournament. For the reigning world champion, the loss was particularly disappointing as he once again failed to capitalise with the white pieces.
Praggnanandhaa finally opened his account by defeating Aravindh Chithambaram, outplaying him in a rook-and-pawn endgame that appeared defensible for much of the contest. While the victory marked Pragg’s first win of the event, it came after several missed opportunities earlier in the tournament.
Another standout storyline has been the continued rise of Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. The 14-year-old prodigy scored yet another victory, defeating Czech GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen. Erdogmus is on course to etch his name into history as one of the strongest players ever at his age.
Erigaisi, playing White in an English Opening, once again sought complications, but the position failed to offer realistic winning chances. After a solid opening phase, Niemann opted for rapid development at the cost of castling rights, neutralising White’s initiative.
With little left to play for, the game quickly drifted into repetition. As predicted by the engines, the players agreed to a draw after just 22 moves.
