Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov regained sole lead while world champion D Gukesh had to settle for a draw against Hans Moke Niemann in the 12th and penultimate round. Abdusattorov crushed Matthias Bluebaum to inch closer to the title at Wijkaan Zee in the Netherlands.
Another Ubzek player Javokhir Sindarov played it safe against R Praggnanandhaa and settled for a draw to slip to second spot on 7.5 points, half a point behind compatriot Abdusattorov. It could well be an Uzbek domination in the first super-tournament of the year.
Niemann, Jorden van Foreest of Holland and Vincent Keymer of Germany share the third spot with seven points apiece ahead of wonder-boy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus of Turkey and Bluebaum.
Erdogmus played yet another decisive game, defeating Vladimir Fedoseev of Slovenia.
Gukesh, on six points, is in joint eighth spot along with Dutchman Anish Giri. Fedoseev on 5.5 is ahead of Praggnanandhaa on five, who in turn is half a point clear of Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram.
Gukesh and Niemann played a wild game wherein the American sacrificed a piece when it was not warranted. Gukesh had chances to make use of the extra material but he also erred and let the American off the hook.
Abdusattorov won with white thanks to his alertness in the middle game against Bluebaum. After striking on the queenside, Abdusattorov used his queen and knight to create a tactical web from which there was no turning back for the German.
Yagiz Kaan has won many hearts and the game against Fedoseev was no different. In an interesting incident, the Turk delivered the checkmate and then surprisingly saw his opponent also doing the mate-in-one. They both smiled as Fedoseev was one move too late, and Yagiz Kaan announced his arrival in top-level chess.
Results (round 12): Hans Moke Niemann (USA, 7) drew D Gukesh (IND, 6); Javokhir Sindarov (UZB, 7.5) drew R Praggnanandhaa (IND, 5); Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 8) beat Matthias Bluebaum (GER, 6.5); Vincent Keymer (GER, 7) beat Thai Dai Van Nguyen (CZE); Jorden van Foreest (NED, 7) drew Arjun Erigaisi (IND, 4.5); Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (TUR, 6.5) beat Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO, 5.5); Aravindh Chithambaram (IND, 4.5) drew Anish Giri (NED, 6).
