D Gukesh at Tata Metal Masters. Photograph Credit score: X@tatasteelchess
World Champion D Gukesh suffered his second defeat in a row and third within the occasion, taking place to native star Anish Giri within the seventh spherical of Tata Metal Masters in Wijk Aan Zee.
On what turned out to be a troublesome day for Indians, Arjun Erigaisi discovered himself on the receiving finish in opposition to Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus of Turkiye who performed a outstanding sport to beat the world No. 5 and the highest seeded.
Aravindh Chithambaram additionally ended up shedding with black items in opposition to one other Dutchman Jorden van Foreest whereas R Praggnanandhaa was held to a draw by Matthias Bluebaum of Germany.
With six rounds nonetheless to return within the 14-player 13-rounds occasion, Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan performed his finest sport but within the occasion to increase his lead by a full level.
The Uzbek defeated Germany’s Vincent Keymer utilizing black items to perfection.
With Abdusattorov working away on 5.5 factors, World Cup winner and his teammate Javokhir Sindarov stays his closest rival on 4.5 factors.
Erdogmus, Foreest, Hans Moke Niemann of United States and Vladimir Fedoseev of Slovenia share the third spot on 4 factors apiece, half level forward of Bluebaum and Keymer.
Gukesh and Arjun share the ninth spot with Giri on three factors and Praggnanadhaa on 2.5 continues to be in search of an elusive victory.
Aravindh is at present on the final spot with simply two factors.
For Aravindh, it grew to become a tough selection as he went for the King’s Indian protection, a gap that had already been performed by van Foreest a few occasions.
“The opening caught me without warning. I do know he’s actually unpredictable, however nonetheless, the King’s Indian is what I’ve been taking part in this match for a few video games and one way or the other he hit me with it.”
“Generally it’s good to make use of your opponent’s weapons in opposition to him, however I don’t assume it actually labored out for him at present”, Foreest mentioned.
For Gukesh, issues didn’t go nicely in an English opening as white when Giri bought the initiative rolling in his favour with a central bind.
By the point Gukesh was in a position to take away the bind, his place had worsened and on today the Dutchman made no errors.
Arjun was outdone on one other English opening day but it surely was some nice imaginative show by the younger Turk.
Arjun felt the warmth proper from the opening and it was constant strain coming from Erdogmus that grew to become inconceivable to deal with even after commerce of Queens.
Outcomes spherical 7: Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 4) beat Aravindh Chithambaram (Ind, 2); D Gukesh (Ind, 3) misplaced to Anish Giri (Ned, 3); Arjun Erigaisi (Ind, 3) misplaced to Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (Tur, 4); R Praggnnanandhaa (Ind, 2.5) drew with Matthias Bluebaum (Ger, 3.5); Vincent Keymer (Ger, 3.5) misplaced to Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 5.5); Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb, 4.5) drew with Hans Moke Niemann (Usa, 4); Thai Dai Van Nguyen (Cze, 2.5) drew with Vladimir Fedoseev (Slo, 4).
Revealed – January 26, 2026 09:38 am IST
