The Tata Steel Masters in Wijk Aan Zee, widely regarded as the world’s oldest running super tournament, got off to a dramatic and absorbing start despite a delayed opening caused by an environmental activists’ protest.
Once play finally began, the first round delivered high-quality chess and decisive results, with Indian players firmly in the spotlight. Top seed Arjun Erigaisi produced one of the most convincing performances of the day, defeating compatriot R. Praggnanandhaa with authority, while reigning world champion D. Gukesh had to settle for a hard-fought draw against World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan. By the end of nearly five hours of play, Erigaisi had announced his intentions early in the tournament, while Gukesh showed resilience in a game that could easily have swung either way.
Erigaisi’s victory stood out for its clarity and speed. Playing against Praggnanandhaa, a close friend and frequent rival, Erigaisi faced the Queen’s Gambit Accepted. The opening phase was balanced, but Praggnanandhaa soon ran into trouble in the middlegame, allowing his king to remain stuck in the centre. Erigaisi seized the initiative without hesitation, bringing his pieces into attacking positions and steadily increasing the pressure. Once the weaknesses around the king became untenable, the outcome was inevitable. Praggnanandhaa was forced to resign after just 32 moves, giving Erigaisi a confident start to his campaign.
While Erigaisi finished quickly, Gukesh was involved in the longest and most complex game of the day. Facing Sindarov, who had the white pieces, Gukesh employed the Queen’s Gambit Declined, an opening that has become a reliable part of his repertoire. The Indian world champion gradually built up pressure and reached a position where his attacking chances looked promising. At one stage, Gukesh even unleashed a stylish queen sacrifice that would have sealed the game against many opponents.
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Sindarov, however, showed remarkable defensive resourcefulness. Despite his king appearing to be under severe threat, he repeatedly found precise moves to stay in the game. The tension ebbed and flowed as the players navigated a complicated endgame, and after 78 moves of sustained effort, the players agreed to a draw. While Gukesh may feel he missed an opportunity to start with a win, the result still underlined his fighting spirit and ability to push top opponents deep into difficult territory.
The first decisive result of the tournament, however, came from an unexpected source. Hans Moke Niemann of the United States capitalised on an early optical blunder by Slovenian Vladimir Fedoseev. The mistake occurred in the middlegame, and Niemann immediately recognised the opportunity. Showing no mercy, he pounced on the error, and with material loss unavoidable, Fedoseev resigned as early as move 16. It was a clinical display and one that put Niemann among the early leaders.
German youngster Vincent Keymer was the other player to score a full point on the opening day. Keymer defeated Dutch star Anish Giri in a result that will have pleased the visiting fans and raised eyebrows among the local crowd. Giri, known for his solidity and home support in Wijk Aan Zee, could not find his usual rhythm, and Keymer gradually outplayed him to register an important win.
With their victories, Erigaisi, Niemann, and Keymer emerged as joint leaders on one point after the first round. They are followed closely by a large chasing pack, including Gukesh, who sits half a point behind along with seven other players.
The other Indian participant in the Masters, Aravindh Chithambaram, began his tournament with a solid draw against Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum. Playing a Catalan opening, Aravindh encountered a well-prepared and resilient opponent. Bluebaum, who is set to feature in the forthcoming Candidates tournament, remained accurate and tricky throughout. Neither side managed to generate decisive chances, and the game was drawn after 41 moves.
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Elsewhere, the remaining games also ended peacefully. Turkey’s Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus drew with Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev, while Dutchman Jorden van Foreest shared the point with Czech player Thai Dai Van Nguyen.
Despite the unusual delay at the start of the day, the opening round delivered exactly what the Tata Steel Masters is known for: uncompromising battles, early drama, and a reminder of why Wijk Aan Zee continues to be one of the most cherished stops on the global chess calendar. With Erigaisi striking early and Gukesh showing fighting intent, the Indian contingent has set the tone for what promises to be a fascinating tournament ahead.
