The sixth round of the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk Aan Zee delivered a dramatic shift in the tournament narrative, as reigning World Champion D. Gukesh suffered a costly defeat to Nodirbek Abdusattorov, allowing the Uzbek grandmaster to take sole lead in one of the most competitive editions in recent memory.
Gukesh, who had finally broken his winless streak in Round 5, looked set for another steady outing until a single, inexplicable error changed everything. In an otherwise balanced middlegame, the Indian prodigy committed a blunder that allowed Abdusattorov to win material instantly. Recognising the hopelessness of his position, Gukesh resigned on the spot a brutal end to what had been a well-contested game.
With that result, Abdusattorov surged to 4.5 points from six rounds, moving clear of the field and stamping his authority on the tournament. Gukesh, meanwhile, slipped to joint fourth on three points, alongside fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi, as the title race tightened at the top.
Abdusattorov’s Moment of Control
Abdusattorov has been the most consistent player in Wijk Aan Zee this week. Calm, precise and ruthless when opportunities arise, he has converted small advantages into full points and Round 6 was another example. Gukesh’s mistake gave him the opening he needed, and the Uzbek star wasted no time in punishing it.
This victory was not just another point; it was a psychological statement. Beating the reigning World Champion in such fashion underlined Abdusattorov’s growing stature as one of the most dangerous players of the current generation.
Just half a point behind him sits compatriot Javokhir Sindarov, who is on four points after escaping with a draw against Aravindh Chithambaram. Sindarov had chances to win but was unable to convert, settling for a share of the spoils.
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Behind the two Uzbek leaders, the tournament remains wide open. Vladimir Fedoseev, Hans Niemann, and Vincent Keymer are all on three points, sharing third place. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi are just behind them on the same score, making for a congested chasing pack with half the event still to play.
Arjun Erigaisi had a hard-fought draw against Matthias Bluebaum, managing to stabilise after some tense moments. Though not spectacular, the result keeps him well within striking distance of the leaders. R. Praggnanandhaa, the defending Tata Steel champion, also had to settle for a draw, sharing points with Fedoseev. With two points, Praggnanandhaa remains in the lower half of the table, but his resilience in long defensive battles suggests he is far from out of the tournament.
Indian Contingent Under Pressure
For the Indian players, Round 6 was a mixed day. Gukesh’s collapse was the headline, but Erigaisi’s draw and Praggnanandhaa’s survival kept their campaigns alive.
Gukesh’s blunder was particularly painful because he had just regained confidence with his first win of the event a day earlier. Instead of building momentum, he now finds himself chasing again in a field that is growing more competitive with every round. Aravindh Chithambaram, despite being held by Sindarov, remains on two points, where he is joined by Praggnanandhaa. Both will need a strong second half if they are to finish in the upper half of the standings.
A Volatile, Youth-Driven Tournament
The Tata Steel Masters 2026 has become a showcase for the new generation of elite chess. With most players in their early twenties, the event has been marked by high-risk play, sharp tactics and sudden swings in momentum.
The absence of long-time legends like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana has created a vacuum that the younger stars are rapidly filling. Abdusattorov, Sindarov, Gukesh, Erigaisi and Keymer are all fighting not just for a title, but for long-term supremacy in world chess. The tournament’s unforgiving time controls and dense schedule have also contributed to the number of decisive games. Even elite players are being forced into difficult decisions under pressure and in Round 6, Gukesh paid the highest price.
All Eyes on Round 7
The seventh round on Saturday promises even more intrigue. Gukesh faces Anish Giri, a matchup that will test his ability to recover from the emotional blow of his blunder. Praggnanandhaa meets Matthias Bluebaum, while Erigaisi takes on Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş in another crucial encounter.
For Abdusattorov, every round now becomes about maintaining control rather than chasing. But with the field packed tightly behind him, there is little room for error. As the Tata Steel Masters crosses its halfway mark, the message from Wijk Aan Zee is clear: this is no longer a slow-burn classical event. It is a fast-moving battle of nerves, precision and resilience and the next mistake could reshape the standings all over again.
