The fifth round of the Tata Steel Chess 2024 brought lots of excitement to the chess world. The players got back in the office after yesterday’s free day and played the round fresh minds. The Masters event saw two decisive results today, while six (out of seven!) games finished decisive in the Challengers event!
Anish Giri drew against Praggnanandhaa but still successfully expanded his sole lead to a full point advantage. All thanks to Ju Wenjun who defeated Alireza Firouzja! As big as it sounds, this wasn’t the only upset in Wijk aan Zee. Eline Roebers defeated Hans Niemann, the highest-rated player she has ever played!
Ju Wenjun vs Alireza Firouzja | 1-0
Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun opened the game well, but the position was fairly equal. However, Firouzja misplayed the late middlegame, allowing Ju Wenjun to reach a positionally better endgame with rooks and a superior Knight against the Bishop. It was a tough set-up demanding precise play, but when the dust settled down, the Chinese grandmaster got the completely winning rooks endgame with the pawn up. Firouzja didn’t give up, but Ju Wenjun didn’t allow him to come back and scored her first victory in the tournament.
IM Eline Roebers vs GM Hans Niemann | 1-0
It was a girls’ show today at the Tata Steel Chess! 17-year-old Eline Roeberst took off Hans Niemann in the Challengers section. Niemann chose to oppose Elaine with Caro Kann, taking a clear advantage early in the game. However, Roebers managed to come back and completely turned the tables after Niemann’s 37…Rd8? The position became very sharp, but when the dust had settled, Eline had a clear piece up and a winning position. Some moves later, she forced Hans Niemann to resign.
The next round is on the schedule tomorrow (January 19, 2024) at 14:00 CET. Pairings of the Masters tournament:
- Alireza Firouzja vs Wei Yi
- Ding Liren vs Nodirbek Abdusattorov
- Anish Giri vs Parham Maghsoodloo
- Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Praggnanandhaa
- Jorden Van Foreest vs Gukesh D
- Max Warmerdam vs Alexander Donchenko
- Ju Wenjun vs Vidit Santosh Gujrathi
Live games can be followed here, and live video broadcast will be available here.
Rankings after 5 played rounds (Masters):
| 1 | Giri, Anish | 4/5 | 2749 |
| 2 | Abdusattorov, Nodirbek | 3/5 | 2727 |
| 3 | Praggnanandhaa | 3/5 | 2743 |
| 4 | Wei Yi | 3/5 | 2740 |
| 5 | Firouzja, Alireza | 3/5 | 2759 |
| 6 | Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi | 2ยฝ/5 | 2742 |
| 7 | Nepomniachtchi, Ian | 2ยฝ/5 | 2769 |
| 8 | Ding Liren | 2ยฝ/5 | 2780 |
| 9 | Gukesh | 2ยฝ/5 | 2725 |
| 10 | Warmerdam, Max | 2ยฝ/5 | 2625 |
| 11 | Van Foreest, Jorden | 2/5 | 2682 |
| 12 | Ju Wenjun | 2/5 | 2549 |
| 13 | Donchenko, Alexander | 1ยฝ/5 | 2643 |
| 14 | Maghsoodloo, Parham | 1/5 | 2740 |
Photos by Jurrian Hoefsmit
