Wijk Aan Zee, January 28

Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi yet again defied the odds to defeat overnight leader Nodirbek Abdusattarov of Uzbekistan in the 12th and penultimate round of Tata Steel Masters here.

The first super tournament of the year was thrown wide open with Gujrathi’s victory. The Indian is now in a five-way lead alongside compatriot D Gukesh, Wei Yi of China, Anish Giri of Holland and Abdusattarov — who all have 7.5 points apiece. Giri has the best chance with his decent tiebreak to annex the crown for the second time running as he takes on tailender Max Warmerdam.

In other important games of the day, R Praggnanandhaa drew with Gukesh, Wei Yi defeated women’s world champion Wenjun Ju, while Giri beat Jorden Van Foreest.

Powered by WPeMatico