Tata Steel Masters 2024: Three-way tie on the top

Nodirbek Abdusattorov used his chance to stop and join the leader by defeating Anish Giri in Round 7 of Tata Steel Masters 2024. Closer to the end of the day, Gukesh D prevailed over Max Warmerdam and caught up with Giri and Abdusattorov. This trio is leading the race with 4.5/7. Alireza Firouzja fell to Vidit Gujrathi and now shares fourth place with his opponent and Praggnanandhaa. 

Nodirbek Abdusattorov – Anish Giri | 1-0, 60 moves

Anish Giri obtained a comfortable position on the black side of the Petroff Defence, but with an inaccurate 22…b5?! He allowed his opponent to seize control over the light squares in the center. After trading the queens, Nodirbek converted his endgame advantage in an exemplary fashion.

After 34. c4! bxc4 35. bxc5 dxc5 36. Rxd7+ Kxd7 37. Kc3 Kc6 38. Kxc4 Kb6 39. a4 White got an overwhelming position with a remote passer and sealed the deal twenty moves later. 

Vidit Gujrathi – Alireza Firouzja | 1-0, 42 moves

Alireza Firouzja either forgot or mixed up his preparation as he made the decisive mistake in a position tested in 2014-2015. 

Here Black invariably played 14…d5! with decent compensation for the sacrificed piece. Alireza, however, opted for 14…Qa4+? but after 15.Kd3! White’s king escaped to the center. Firouzja added fuel to the fire by sacrificing an exchange, but it did not help, and Vidit comfortably wrapped it up right after the time control.  

Wei Yi – Ding Liren | ½-½, 32 moves

The game saw a popular line of the Scotch, known for its drawish tendencies. After making just a few original moves in a dead-drawn endgame with opposite-coloured bishops, the opponents shook hands. 

Alexander Donchenko – Ju Wenjun | ½-½, 30 moves

The opponents had a discussion in a well-known line of the QGD Carlsbad. Both played very sensibly, arranging their pieces in the center. On move 23, White carried out the thematic e3-e4, but Black was very well prepared for this push in the center and emerged slightly better. Alexander demonstrated accuracy at this stage of the game as he temporarily sacrificed a pawn to activate his rook. Soon, White restored material balance, and the players signed a peace in an equal and symmetrical position. 

Gukesh D – Max Warmerdam | 1-0, 66 moves

Playing with Black, Max Warmerdam essayed a sharp line of the Tarrasch Defence in which he got sufficient compensation for a pawn. The Dutchman was holding his ground for most of the game but tripped over his feet in an equal rook endgame. 

After the correct 53…Kf6! covering the g5-square, White can make any progress. However, having about 15 min on his clock, Max played 53…Rg1? and after 54. Kf2 Rb1 55. Kg3 Rb2 56. Rg5 Ra2 57. Rxg4 Gukesh won the g-pawn and converted his advantage on move 66. The young Indian scored his third straight win and joined the leaders.

Praggnanandhaa R – Jorden Van Foreest | ½-½, 33 moves

The young Indian got an edge playing on the white side of the QGD Carlsbad, but instead of maintaining the tension, he opted for closing the position on the kingside and giving up an important f5-square. Jorden immediately jumped on this opportunity and, by skillfully maneuvering with his knights, equalized completely. At this point, probably feeling that the tide had changed, Pragg offered a draw, which was accepted. 

Parham Maghsoodloo – Ian Nepomniachtchi | ½-½, 56 moves

Once again, Ian Nepomniachtchi played the Petroff Defence against 1.e4 and reached a comfortable position. After a clash in the center the opponents traded the queens and transitioned into a roughly equal endgame. Both played with great accuracy, and a draw came as a logical outcome.  

Masters pairings

Photos: Jurriaan Hoefsmit and Lennart Ootes – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024

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