Tata Steel Masters: Gukesh loses to Bluebaum, Erigaisi draws with Niemann

World champion D Gukesh lost to Matthias Bluebaum, while Arjun Erigaisi drew with Hans Niemann in round nine of the Tata Steel Masters. Abdusattorov leads with six points, Sindarov and van Foreest trail close behind, as Indian players continue to struggle

Wijk Aan Zee (The Netherlands): World champion D Gukesh endured another setback at the Tata Steel Masters, losing to Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum in the ninth round, while Arjun Erigaisi was held to a quick draw by American Hans Moke Niemann.

World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov settled for a draw with sole leader and fellow Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who stayed in command with six points.

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Sindarov was joined in second place by Dutchman Jorden van Foreest on 5.5 points, half a point ahead of Niemann, with four rounds remaining in the tournament.

Gukesh and Erigaisi continue to struggle, stuck on four points each, with the world champion enduring another disappointing result with the white pieces.

Opting for a King’s Pawn game, Gukesh essayed the Bishop’s Opening, a line rarely seen at elite level in recent times. Bluebaum responded confidently, generating counterplay from the outset and producing an imaginative sequence that saw Gukesh’s light-squared bishop trapped by his own pieces.

The initiative was with the German, who played fearlessly to win a rook for a minor piece. Gukesh resigned on his 37th move.

The day’s most impressive game came from former champion Jorden van Foreest. The Dutchman, long regarded as his country’s best performer after Anish Giri, showcased his best form of the year.

Vincent Keymer of Germany learnt the same at his own expense as Jorden launched a huge assault against his king right from the early stages of the middle game arising out of an irregular queen pawn opening.

Foreest sacrificed a piece in the centre to rip the position apart and continued attacking black’s king until Keymer caved in. The game lasted just 26 moves.

Erigaisi, playing white in an English Opening, tried to complicate matters but failed to generate chances. Niemann, who has been in fine form, neutralised him quickly.

The opening fizzled out with black giving up the right to castle in favour of quick development. Erigaisi realised soon that it was risky to hope for something out of nothing. The chess engines predicted a draw by repetition, and the players confirmed it in just 22 moves.

Results Round 9:
D Gukesh (Ind, 4) lost to Matthias Bluebaum (Ger, 5); Arjun Erigaisi (Ind, 4) drew with Hans Moke Niemann (USA, 5); Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb, 5.5) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 6); Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 5.5) beat Vincent Keymer (Ger, 4).
Other games: R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 3) vs Aravindh Chithambaram (Ind, 2.5); Anish Giri (Ned, 4) vs Vladimir Fedoseev (Slo, 4.5); Thai Dai Van Nguyen (Cze, 3) vs Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (Tur, 4.5).