Tata Steel Chess: Praggnanandhaa Catches Gukesh, Arjun Triumphs in Round 12

The penultimate round of the Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk aan Zee delivered significant shifts at the top, culminating in a shared lead and a crucial breakthrough victory. Following twelve rounds of intense competition, India`s R Praggnanandhaa drew level with compatriot D Gukesh, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.

Praggnanandhaa`s Ascent: Three Wins in a Row

Demonstrating formidable form, R Praggnanandhaa secured his third consecutive victory by defeating Alexey Sarana. Sensing the necessity to push for a win to stay in contention, Praggnanandhaa adopted an unconventional opening strategy, moving his bishop twice in quick succession – a manoeuvre he later felt provided the desired complexity. The game reached a dramatic climax when Praggnanandhaa executed a remarkable queen sacrifice, securing the decisive advantage. This sensational win elevated his score to 8.5 points, matching Gukesh, and notably saw him climb to world number seven in the live chess ratings, surpassing Alireza Firouzja.

Gukesh Navigates a Tense Draw

Tournament co-leader D Gukesh faced Jorden van Foreest in a game fraught with tension. Van Foreest held the upper hand for a significant portion of the encounter. However, a late misstep by the Dutchman on move 39 offered Gukesh an opportunity. The advantage was fleeting, as Gukesh himself made a significant error just three moves later. This rapid exchange of blunders led to a chaotic final phase as time pressure mounted. In a blitz finish, Gukesh managed to hold on and secure a draw, a result he later acknowledged he was fortunate to achieve, preserving his leading position but allowing Praggnanandhaa to catch up.

Arjun Erigaisi Breaks Through

For Arjun Erigaisi, Round 12 marked a long-awaited turning point. Having gone 24 games without a victory at the Tata Steel Masters previously, he finally broke the streak with a stunning win against Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Abdusattorov had been a strong contender near the top of the standings throughout the tournament. The game was evenly balanced until Abdusattorov committed a critical blunder in the middlegame. Arjun seized the initiative decisively, capitalizing on the mistake and concluding the game with a well-timed bishop sacrifice. This result is a significant setback for Abdusattorov`s title aspirations and provides Arjun with a much-needed boost ahead of the final round.

Other Key Results from Round 12:

• Leon Mendonca drew with Fabiano Caruana.
• Pentala Harikrishna drew with Vincent Keymer.

The Final Round: A Battle for the Crown

With two players sharing the lead, the stage is set for a captivating conclusion. The final round presents direct and indirect battles for the top spot:

• D Gukesh will face the resurgent Arjun Erigaisi. Gukesh needs a solid performance to maintain his lead, especially with Praggnanandhaa poised to strike.
• R Praggnanandhaa will play Vincent Keymer. A win for Praggnanandhaa could potentially secure him the title, depending on the outcome of the Gukesh-Arjun game.
• Nodirbek Abdusattorov will meet Pentala Harikrishna. For Abdusattorov to have any chance of forcing a tiebreak, he would need to win and both leaders would need to lose, a highly unlikely scenario.

Standings After Round 12:

1. Dommaraju Gukesh: 8.5 points
2. R Praggnanandhaa: 8.5 points
3. Nodirbek Abdusattorov: 7.5 points
4. Vladimir Fedoseev: 7 points
5. Wei Yi: 6.5 points
6. Anish Giri: 6.5 points
7. Fabiano Caruana: 6 points
8. Pentala Harikrishna: 6 points
9. Vincent Keymer: 5 points
10. Jorden van Foreest: 5 points
11. Alexey Sarana: 5 points
12. Arjun Erigaisi: 4.5 points
13. Leon Luke Mendonca: 4.5 points
14. Max Warmerdam: 3.5 points

All eyes now turn to the decisive Round 13, where the destination of the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Masters title will be determined.