January 25, 2024 09:15 pm | Updated 09:15 pm IST – Wijk Aan Zee (The Netherlands)
Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh scored a crushing victory over Alexander Donchenko within the tenth spherical of Tata Steel Masters in Wijk Aan Zee on January 25.
This was Gukesh’s fifth victory total within the match in addition to two losses and the Indian moved to six.5 factors out of a attainable 10.
Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattarov made positive Gukesh didn’t determine as the only chief with a hard-earned victory over Max Warmerdam.
With three rounds nonetheless remaining within the first super-tournament of the yr, India’s R Praggnanandhaa and native star Anish Giri are closest to the 2 leaders with six factors apiece whereas Vidit Gujrathi is in shut pursuit on 5.5 factors.
The day produced simply three decisive video games and each Gukesh and Abdusattarov received in contrasting vogue.
Playing the black aspect of a Nimzo Indian, Gukesh went for tactical problems after Donchenko went for an unwarranted King aspect assault.
The German faltered in his calculation and Gukesh pounced on it to win two minor items for a rook. The problems remained however Gukesh by no means let the place slip out of his fingers.
Abdusattarov needed to work means tougher as Warmerdam fought for a very long time.
The Dutchman was concerned in his second 110+ strikes recreation in a row and went down regardless of posing stiff resistance.
Gujrathi and Praggandhaa drew their recreation out of one other Bogo Indian transfer by the latter. Playing solidly proper by, Praggnanandhaa exchanged items at common intervals and it was a completely balanced endgame on board when the peace was signed.
In the challengers part being held concurrently, Leon Luke Mendonca performed out a draw with Hans Moke Niemann of the United States. While Mendonca remained on second spot solely, the space was widened as Frenchman Marc Andria Maurizzi received in opposition to tail-ender Eline Roebers of Holland to take his tally to a powerful 7.5 factors.
Mendonca, on 6.5, must do very well within the remaining three rounds to be in with an opportunity of annexing the title.
The different Indians within the fray additionally had a peaceable day as D Harika cut up factors with Yilmaz Mustafa of Turkey and Divya Deshmukh drew with Daniel Dardha of Belgium.
Results after spherical 10 Masters (Indians until specified):
Alexander Donchenko (GER, 3.5) misplaced to D Gukesh (6.5); Vidit Gujrathi (5.5) drew with R Praggnanandhaa (6); Alireza Firouza (FRA, 5.5) drew with Anish Giri (NED, 6); Ian Nepomniachtchi (RUS, 5.5) beat Ding Liren (CHN, 4); Max Warmerdam (NED, 4) misplaced to Abdusattarov Nodirbek (UZB, 6.5); Jorden Van Foreest (NED, 3.5) drew with Wei Yi (CHN, 5.5); Wenjun Ju (CHN, 4) drew with Praham Maghsoodloo (IRI, 4).
Challengers: Liam Vrolijk (NED, 5) drew with Anton Korobov (RUS, 6); Jaime Santos Latasa (ESP, 5.5) beat Stefen Beukema (BEL, 2.5); Eline Roebers (NED, 2) misplaced to Marc Andria Maurizzi (FRA, 7.5); Hans Moke Niemann (USA, 5.5) drew with Leon Luke Mendonca (6.5); Yilmaz Mustafa (4) drew with D Harika (4); A R Saleh Salem (UAE, 5.5) drew with Erwin L’Ami (NED, 6); Divya Deshmukh (4) drew with Daniel Dardha (BEL, 6).
