Tata Steel 2024 R1: Vidit Gujrathi draws against Ding Liren, Leon scores a win
Vidit Gujrathi drew against Ding Liren (CHN) in the first round of 86th Tata Steel Masters 2024. It was the first Classical rated game for the world champion since May 2023. D Gukesh had an exciting draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB). R Praggnanandhaa had a well-contested draw with Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI). Leon Luke Mendonca is the sole Indian to score a win in the first round against IM Eline Roebers (NED). IM Divya Deshmukh had good chances to push for a win versus IM Stefan Beukema (BEL). GM Harika Dronavalli blundered in the endgame against GM Marc' Andria Maurizzi (FRA). However, the French missed his opportunity and it ended in a draw. Round 2 pairings: Abdusattorov vs Praggnanandhaa, Wei (CHN) vs Gukesh, Giri (NED) vs Vidit, Harika vs Dardha (BEL), Leon vs Maurizzi, GM Korobov (UKR) v Divya. It starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Jurriaan Hoefsmit/Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024
Indians make an unbeaten start
"I am very happy. I can still play chess." These were the first words of the world champion, Ding Liren when he was asked about how does it feel to play a Classical chess tournament for the first time since Superbet Classic in May 2023. Both Masters and Challengers section witnessed four decisive games. All four games were won by the players with the black pieces in Masters, while the Challengers section shared two wins for each color.
Vidit - Ding Liren: 0.5-0.5
Vidit Gujrathi (2742) and Ding Liren (CHN, 2780) have played only three Classical rated games against each other, until this game. All of them ended in a draw and took place in 2017. Both of them have come a long way since then. The world champion described that, "The draw was easier than I expected".
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Divya - Beukema
IM Divya Deshmukh (2420) castled 13.0-0 which was the best idea Nd2 14.Qg4 Nxf1 15.Nb5 f5 creating an escape route for the king and removing back-rank woes 16.Qxf5 axb5 17.Bxb5+? White needed to recapture the knight Bxf1 to maintain her advantage. 17.Bxb5+? only guaranteed a draw Qxb5 18.Rc8+ Rxc8 19.Qxc8+ Kf7 20.Qf5+ and Black cannot get out of the perpetual checks.
Marc - Harika
Black is very much in the game. GM Harika Dronavalli (2500) blundered 43...Kf5?? it created a winning chance for White 44.Kd6 f3 45.Ke7 Rxd7+ 46.Rxd7 Ke4 47.h4 f2 48.Rd1 Kf3 49.Kf6 Kg4 and now White had to play 50.Rh1 to win the game. 50.Ke5? Kg3 and Black managed to escape with a draw.
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Schedule
Starting from Saturday 13th to 27th January, all round starts at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Only Sunday 28th January, the final round will start at 12 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Rest days are same for both Masters and Challengers section - 17th, 22nd and 25th January 2024.
Time Control
100 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 50 minutes for the remaining moves with 30 seconds increment for each move starting from the first move.
