One of the most prestigious events on the chess calendar, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, has kicked off in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands on January 18. Traditionally referred to as the “Wimbledon of Chess,” the tournament attracts the world’s top chess grandmasters, emerging talents, thousands of amateur players, and a global audience of live and online spectators.
In 2025, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament celebrates its 87th edition. Both the Masters and Challengers events count toward the FIDE Circuit 2025, with valuable points at stake.
The Masters event, a 14-player round-robin with classical time control, features a stellar lineup, including reigning World Champion Gukesh D (playing his first event after claiming the title), world #2 Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi (recently joining the prestigious 2800 Elo club), last year’s winner Wei Yi, and Uzbek prodigy Nodirbek Abdusattorov, among others.
The first round provided several exciting battles that kept chess fans on the edge of their seats. Pentala Harikrishna, Vincent Keymer, and Gukesh D secured victories, taking an early lead in the tournament.
Masters Round 1 results:
In the Indian derby, Harikrishna – Erigaisi Black comfortably equalized in the classical variation of Dragon Sicilian, but one inaccuracy by Arjun allowed Pentala to trade his queen for two rooks and get an edge. Forced to defend an inferior position, Black did not demonstrate necessary resilience and accuracy. Harikrishna slowly but surely took full control and forced capitulation on move 63.
Leon Mendonca and Vincent Keymer had a theoretical discussion in a topical line of the Two Knights Defence in which Black has a compensation for a pawn. On move 18 Vincent introduced an important novelty 18…d4! and reached an equal position.
However, in subsequent play, White did a better job and after advancing his queenside pawns achieved a winning position. Still, with active black pieces lurking around the white king, precise calculation was required.
Leon Mendonca - Vincent Keymer
After 31. Qxh5+ Kg8 32. Bd4! White would have been still better. The point is that the natural 32…Bxg2? fails to 33. Qxg6, followed by 34. Rxg2, winning. Instead, the Indian GM blundered with 31. Rc1?? immediately resigning after 31…Qxh3, in the face of imminent checkmate. 0-1
In the most exciting game of the round, the reigning World Champion Gukesh D sacrificed a bishop, but Anish Giri was up to the challenge. The home player defended resourcefully, repelled White’s threats and launched an attack of his own. In an extremely complicated position, the opponents traded mistakes several times, but Anish eventually obtained a winning position after a series of brilliant moves.
Gukesh D - Anish Giri
Unfortunately for the Dutchman, he missed the decisive 35…Ng4!! (the only move). The main point is that 36. Re4 loses to 36…Qb6+ 37. Kh1 Qb1+. Instead, Giri played 35…Qb6?? immediately, allowing Gukesh to turn tables with 36. Qf6+! After 36…Qxf6 37. exf6 Bxg2 38. Kxg2 Nd3 39. Re8+ the endgame is absolutely hopeless for Black. Anish threw in the towel three moves later. 1-0
Challengers Round 1 results
Round 1 of the Challengers event, that attracted several promising youngsters, including Faustino Oro, Ediz Gurel, Aydin Suleymanli and Nogerbek Kazybek, was even more combative, with five games out of seven ending decisively. As a result, five players share the lead going into the second round.
Photos: Tata Steel Chess, Jurriaan Hoefsmit
Official website: tatasteelchess.com
