The 86th edition of the Tata Steel Chess is close to its end, but the fights for the top are even closer! The penultimate round finished with five decisive results and as many as five players tie for the first place heading into the last round: Anish Giri, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, Gukesh D, Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Wei Yi.
It is very likely we’ll have tie for the top after the last round which will be played today, and in that case, the tiers will advance to the playoffs which will determine the Winner. While waiting for the final round to start, check out our short Round 12 recap below.
Alireza Firouzja – Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0
Alireza Firouzja opted for 1.Nc3!? surprising the spectators, and moreover, surprising his opponent who came late for the game. The position transposed into Jobava London system and became very dynamical. Firouzja went for the Kingside pawn storm while Nepo tried to develop a mating attack on the Queenside. Finally, Nepomniachtchi blundered with 18…Be5? and Firouzja used his mistake to score a victory in the next 10 moves.
Vidit Santosh Gujrathi vs Nodirbek Abdusattorov | 1-0
Vidit Santosh Gujrathi tricked his opponent in the opening. Abdusattorov hurried to develop the light-squared Bishop, and remained stubborn to keep on the a6-f1 diagonal which wasn’t the best idea. Vidit used this opportunity to get a clear advantage and a pawn up. Performing with perfect endgames technique, Vidit Santosh used all of Nodirbek’s mistakes to score a win and join the leaders on the top.
Jorden van Foreest vs Anish Giri | 0-1
It was another heartbreaking game for Jorden van Foreest who blundered a full piece in a deadly equal position that appeared after French exchanged variation. Jorden played 21.Qc3?? and resigned a couple of moves later.
Gukesh vs Praggnanandhaa | 1/2-1/2
It can be said that the weirdest moment of the tournament happened in yesterday’s game between Indian prodigies. Gukesh D outplayed his compatriot, but had issues to realize the advantage. Getting closer to the 40th move and the time control, Gukesh faced time trouble, and blundered a three-fold repetition. Playing 40.Bd6?, Gukesh gained 15 minutes, but the win slipped away from his hands as Praggnanadhaa made a three-fold repetition claim which was approved by the arbiter.
Standings after 12 played rounds:
| 1 | Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi | 7½/12 | 2742 |
| 2 | Giri, Anish | 7½/12 | 2749 |
| 3 | Gukesh | 7½/12 | 2725 |
| 4 | Abdusattorov, Nodirbek | 7½/12 | 2727 |
| 5 | Wei Yi | 7½/12 | 2740 |
| 6 | Firouzja, Alireza | 7/12 | 2759 |
| 7 | Praggnanandhaa | 7/12 | 2743 |
| 8 | Nepomniachtchi, Ian | 6/12 | 2769 |
| 9 | Ding Liren | 5½/12 | 2780 |
| 10 | Donchenko, Alexander | 4½/12 | 2643 |
| 11 | Maghsoodloo, Parham | 4½/12 | 2740 |
| 12 | Warmerdam, Max | 4/12 | 2625 |
| 13 | Van Foreest, Jorden | 4/12 | 2682 |
| 14 | Ju Wenjun | 4/12 | 2549 |
The Final round starts today at 12:00 CET (January 28, 2024) and the pairings are:
- Praggnanandhaa vs Alireza Firouzja
- Parham Maghsoodloo vs Gukesh D
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov vs Alexander Donchenko
- Wei Yi vs Vidit Santosh Gujrathi
- Ding Liren vs Ju Wenjun
- Anish Giri vs Max Warmerdam
- Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Jorden Van Foreest
Live games with computer analysis can be followed here, and live video broadcast of the round will be available here.
Photos by Tata Steel Chess / Lennart Ootes
