Abdusattorov Extends Lead In Round Of Decisive Games

GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov was one of four winners in the seventh round of the 2023 Tata Steel Chess Tournament and moved to 5.5/7 after scoring his fourth win of the event over GM Arjun Erigaisi on Saturday.

The 18-year-old was joined in the winner's circle by GMs Magnus Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa R., and Wesley So, with the latter two among the chasing pack on 4.5/7 alongside GMs Anish Giri and Fabiano Caruana.

In the Challenger's section, all but one of the games finished decisively, a round which was advantageous for tournament leader GM Alexander Donchenko, who leads by a full point on 5.5/7. GM Javokhir Sindarov continued his impressive run with a win over IM Eline Roebers to move into clear second on 4.5/7.

As fatigue sets in after seven rounds in Wijk aan Zee, spectators were delighted to see that the fighting spirits of the players have not dwindled. In the top two sections of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, there were 11 decisive results in 14 games, and many were marked by brilliant tactical shots, technical finishes, and several blunders.

Abdusattorov's victory was one of the most convincing of round seven as he took down Erigaisi in a game that showed the more aggressive side of the Petroff's Defense with the black pieces. Having garnered a slight edge out of the opening, the Uzbek GM used a passed d-pawn to barge his way through the center before sealing the point with a game-ending rook sacrifice.

Now perched atop the field and at a career-high of 17th in the world (up from 30th before the event), Abdusattorov's win earned him yet another Game of the Day performance, which has been analyzed by GM Rafael Leitao. 

This photo was taken at the closing of the Qatar Masters in December 2015, where 11-year-old Nodirbek Abdusattorov saw the world champion Magnus Carlsen for the first time. He was the youngest participant and played in such a strong tournament for the first time.

📷 by @TarjeiJS pic.twitter.com/kTVIowYT9c

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) January 20, 2023

Praggnanandhaa found a way to win his second game of the event, this time defeating GM Jorden van Foreest in the "quiet version" of the Slav Defense: Modern, Schallopp Defense. The opening choice resulted in a blocked center that the Indian GM handled expertly, selecting the perfect moment for a pawn break on the queenside that gave him an outside passed pawn. Maneuvering was the name of the game in round seven for the Chennai-born superstar, and he eventually broke his "fatigued" Dutch opponent.

Following his win in round six over GM Vincent Keymer, So exploited a middlegame error by GM Gukesh D. Feeling the heat from the move 28 mistake, Gukesh's position collapsed within five moves, gifting So an important point with the black pieces.

Having suffered major setbacks in the early rounds, Carlsen's tournament seems to have snapped back on track with the world champion scoring his first win since round two. An embattled GM Richard Rapport was impatient in his attack on Saturday and lashed out with a knight sacrifice followed by a wayward queen check on move 19. Another piece sacrifice was soon on the menu for the Romanian representative, but he couldn't quite find the firepower to overcome staunch defense from the world number-one.

GM Hikaru Nakamura weighed in on the game in a Youtube recap titled "Magnus is Back!!" which was published swiftly after the end of the game.

The remainder of the games were drawn in round seven; however, several close shaves occurred, with Caruana and Keymer missing moments to strike in their respective games. Notably, the American's draw had some resemblance to the ending that transpired in Abdusattorov's victory over Carlsen in round five.

IM Adrian Petrisor has also provided his expert commentatory on the Keymer-Ding clash that ended peacefully.

The Challengers section continued to bring plenty of excitement as the combatants vie for a coveted spot in the 2024 Masters edition. Donchenko, who had curiously won every game with the black pieces and drawn every game with the white thus far broke the curse and scored his first full point with white. Donchenko mentioned that he had no coach or second with him in Wijk aan Zee but humorously admitted: "I only have my mother on site with me, and that is the best second you can have, which several top players seem to agree with."

I only have my mother on site, and that is the best second you can have.
—Alexander Donchenko

Given their tumultuous, wild games so far in the event, it was no surprise that GM Amin Tabatabaei-GM Erwin l'Ami was a chaotic work of art. Though the game was not of the highest accuracy, the twists and turns were befitting of a Hollywood drama from which the Iranian GM benefitted when the day was done.

One of the tournament's most solid constituents, GM Luis Paulo Supi found himself in a difficult position against IM Vaishali R and blundered a tactical sequence after the fruitless 35.Bh4??.

Local IM Thomas Beerdsen is another prospect to watch as he waltzed his way to 4.5/7. With a 2646 performance rating after seven rounds, he is well on his way to capturing a final GM norm. Though he "doesn't want to think about it much," he needs only 2.5 more points in the six remaining rounds to become the next Dutch GM.

The eighth round of the 2023 Tata Steel Chess Tournament will see the leader, Abdusattorov, take on GM Levon Aronian with the white pieces while his closest chasers will face the likes of Carlsen, Keymer, Ding, and Rapport as they attempt to close the gap.

Results - Masters Round 7

 

Leaderboard - Masters Round 7 

Pairings - Masters Round 8

All Masters Games - Round 7 

Previous coverage

• So Scores First Win, Caruana Joins Chase After Abdusattorov
• Abdusattorov Gives Carlsen His 1st 2-Game Losing Streak in 8 Years
• A Day of Masterpieces: Giri Claims 1st Victory vs. Carlsen in 12 Years
• Caruana Defeats Swashbuckling Van Foreest to Join Leaders
• Giri's Double Sacrifice Stuns Gukesh, Carlsen Grinds Down Keymer
• Ding, Abdusattorov Score First Victories
• Carlsen Tops 'Strongest-Ever Field' At Tata Steel Chess 2023