IMAGE: D Gukesh needs only 1.5 points to win the title in the Netherlands, his first this year. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Chin An/FIDE
Standing atop the points table with a slender lead, world champion D Gukesh will take on Wei Yi of China in the 11th round of Tata Steel Chess Tournament, aiming to continue his unbeaten streak and claim the season’s first title.
With five victories and five draws, Gukesh has remained unbeaten in the first major tournament of the year and if he adds another 1.5 points in the last three rounds, it should be enough for him to lift the title.
With 7.5 points, Gukesh is in pole position, half a point ahead of Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan and a full point more than compatriot R Praggnanadhaa.
Yet to play two white games out of last three, Gukesh has to meet Jorden van Foreest of Holland in the penultimate round and then finally an out of sorts Arjun Erigaisi.
Both Abdusattorov and Praggnanandhaa have two black games left which makes Gukesh a huge favourite to win his maiden title here. It may be recalled that the Indian had lost in tiebreaker to Wei Yi last year after tying for the top spot.
What is also at stake for Gukesh, who is at 2794 points in live ratings. is the 2800 rating barrier, and if he does surpass it, he will be the third Indian to achieve it after Viswanathan Anand and Arjun.
Praggnanandhaa will meet pre-event rating favourite Fabiano Caruana of United States while Abdusattorov has to tackle the solid defences of Vincent Keymer of Germany in the other key clashes of the 11th round.
It has been tough for the remaining three Indians in the Masters section as Harikrishna has scored 4.5 points while Arjun and Leon Luke Mendonca are at the bottom of the table with three points each. These three will have to work hard in the remaining rounds to finish better in the final standings.
In the challengers section, R Vaishali is on five points out of a possible 10 and has shown brilliance in patches.
Divya Deshmukh is on two points and needs a pullback. This section is led by Czech Grandmaster Nguyen Thai Dai Van on 7.5 points with Erwin L’Ami of Holland in close pursuit a half point behind.
Pairings round 11:
Masters: Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 4) vs Arjun Erigaisi (Ind, 3); D Gukesh (Ind, 7.5) vs Wei Yi (Chn, 5.5); Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 5.5) vs R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 6.5); Vincent Keymer (Ger, 4) vs Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 7); Anish Giri (Ned, 5)) vs Max Warmerdam (Ned, 3.5); Alexey Sarana (Srb, 5) vs P Harikrishna (Ind, 4.5); Vladimir Fedoseev (Slo, 6) vs Leon Luke Mendonca (Ind, 3).
Challengers: Oro Faustino (Arg, 2.5) vs Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzb, 5); Lu Miaoyi (Chn, 5.5) vs Erwin L’Ami (Ned, 7); Nogerbek Kazybek (Kaz, 5.5) vs Ediz Gurel (Tur, 5.5); R Vaishali (Ind, 5) vs Aydin Suleymanli (Aze, 6.5); Svane Fredrik (Ger, 6) vs Nguyen Thai Dai Vam (Cze, 7.5); Irina Bulmaga (Rom, 1) vs Divya Deshmukh (Ind, 2); Benjamin Bok (Ned, 6.5) vs Arthur Pijpers (Ned, 4.5).
