Tata Steel Masters: Four in the lead after Round 9

Round 9 of the Tata Steel Masters 2024, played in Hague, has been the most exciting so far, producing five victories (all five by White) and just two draws. After Nodirbek Abdusattorov bested Jorden Van Foreest and Praggnanandrhaa outplayed Ju Wenjun, both joined Anish Giri and Gukesh D in the lead. Alexander Donchenko and Parham Maghsoodloo notched up their first wins in the event, defeating Alireza Firouzja and Max Warmerdam, respectively. Wei Yi outbattled Ian Nepomiachtchi and caught up with Vidit and Firouzja.

Ding Liren – Anish Giri | ½-½, 34 moves

The opponents followed the game Jobava – Oparin (2022) in the QGD Carlsbad, with Anish deviating first on move 14. His novelty 14…Ndf6 worked well as Black reached a very comfortable position while White had to keep an eye on his kingside weaknesses. However, instead of increasing pressure with 32…Rh8 Anish decided to call it a day by forcing a draw by repetition. 

Nodirbek Abdusattorov – Jorden Van Foreest | 1-0, 24 moves

In the Bishop Opening, Jorden reacted poorly to the reserved 8.Bb3 by Abdusattorov and by move 12 got in a very tough situation. Visually upset, the Dutchman did not manage to pull himself together and admitted his defeat in a strategically hopeless position with almost all the pieces remaining on the board. 

Praggnanandhaa R – Ju Wenjun | 1-0, 33 moves

The young Indian introduced a novelty 10.b3 in a topical line of the Two Knights in which Black sacrifices a pawn, but the Women’s World Champion got sufficient compensation. However, six moves later, she did not trade the light-squared bishops and allowed her opponent to consolidate.

After 16… Bxa6 17. Qxa6 Ng4 Black’sBlack’s initiative counterweights White’sWhite’s extra pawn, whereas after 16…Be6 17. Nc4 Bb4 18. O-O-O played in the game, Pragg emerged clearly better. Ju still had some chances for a stubborn resistance, but on move 22, she made a fatal error opening the g-file, and White’s crushing attack decided the game in his favour. 

Alexander Donchenko – Alireza Firouzja | ½-½, 35 moves

In a popular line of the Ragozin, Alireza advanced his kingside pawns and obtained a superior position after a short collision in the center. Alexander tried to trade Black’s most active piece and surprisingly succeeded.

After 21… Bf8 22. Nc3 Qb6 23. Na4 Qc7 Black could have gradually built up pressure, whereas White had no active plan. Alireza, however, played 21…Rc8 and after 22. Nxd6 Qxd6 23. Kf1 Qb6 24. Rb1 Bd7 25. Kg1 Rce8 26. Qf4 the position became equal. A few moves later, Firouzja allowed White’s bishop to penetrate to f5 and found himself in real danger. After White snatched the g4-pawn, Black still had some counterchances, but his 33rd move became fatal for him. 

Instead of 33…Qe6 that offered some hope, Alireza played 33…Rh6? and capitulated after 34. Rc7 Rh7 35. Bxh5 1-0

Wei Yi – Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0, 41 moves

Fully aware of Ian’s excellent preparation in the Petroff, Wei essayed the Bishop opening, which proved to be the right choice. On move 15 the Chinese GM introduced a strong novelty 15.d4 and got a slight edge. Still, Black had a playable position, but after White chipped away in the center with 21.f3, Ian erroneously backed away from the queen exchange. 

After 22…Qxf3 23. Nxf3 Kf8 Black had a chance to equalize, although it was not that easy. Ian decided to keep the queens on the board with 22…Qg5? but after 23. Nc4! h5 24. d6! Kf8 25. Re7! Rxe7 26. dxe7+ Kxe7 27. Re1+ Kf8 28. Nd6 Qd2 29. Qc3 Qxc3 30. bxc3 White liquidated into a won endgame in which Wei demonstrated excellent technique. As soon as White’s king penetrated Black’s camp, Ian threw in the towel. 

Parham Maghsoodloo – Max Warmerdam | 1-0, 57 moves

Once again, Max played the gambit line of the Tarrasch that had tested against Gukesh in Round 7 and got some compensation. Moreover, after Parham’s dubious knight manoeuvre, the Dutchman won an exchange.

After 16. Qe4 Qxe4 17. Nxe4 f5 18. Ng3 Nc2+ 19. Ke2 Nxa1 20. Bd2 Bg7 21. Rxa1 f4 22. Nf5 Bxb2 Black obtained the decisive advantage. In subsequent play, Black returned an exchange but got two passers on the queenside. As soon as these pawns set in motion, many thought that White’s days were numbered. At this point, Parham went all out by grabbing the f7-pawn and pushing his e-pawn, although the opponent’s pawns were advancing much faster. 

Here, Black was winning with 51… Ba3 52. e7 Bxe7 53. Nxe7 Ra3 54. Rc1 a1=Q. Unfortunately for Max, he completely misplayed this position with 51. e6 Ra3 52. Rxc5 a1=Q 53. e7, and it turned out that despite Black’s extra queen, he had no win. Dismayed by this turn of events, the Dutchman made a fatal error, missing even a draw. 

After 53…Qh8?? (instead of 53…Qb1+ or 53…Qf1) 54. Rc8! Qh7+ 55. f5 Rg3 56. e8=Q Rxg4+ 57. Ke5 Warmerdam capitulated. 

Gukesh D – Vidit Gujrathi | ½-½, 31 moves

The Indian derby saw a popular line of the Petroff Defence tested on many occasions. After the players traded all the rooks in a nearly symmetrical equal position, a draw was agreed upon on move 31. 

Masters pairings

Photos: Jurriaan Hoefsmit – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024

Official website: tatasteelchess.com