Wijk aan Zee Tata Steel 13 to 29 January 2023

[LawrenceCooper]

Carlsen's rather Jekyll and Hyde performance in this tournament is continuing - he really does seem to own Caruana just now.

2.5/3 since his haircut!

[Kevin Thurlow]

New In Chess have just emailed me an advert for this book.

https://www.newinchess.com/caruana-s-ru ... f#161=6388

That could have been better timed...

[Matt Mackenzie]

Those who expected a straightforward third win in a row for Carlsen today got it just a bit wrong.

Ding's rather unhappy tournament continues.

[Mick Norris]

We have So - Giri tomorrow, then after the rest day, Friday sees Carlsen - So and Giri - Abdusattorov, and Saturday So - Abdusattorov

[LawrenceCooper]

We have So - Giri tomorrow, then after the rest day, Friday sees Carlsen - So and Giri - Abdusattorov, and Saturday So - Abdusattorov

The Keymar-Nodirbek ending is worth a look. One of the most complicated rook endings I can recall watching.

[Mick Norris]

Are either of them likely to reach the top, say the Candidates? I can't judge the relative strength of the top players

[LawrenceCooper]

Are either of them likely to reach the top, say the Candidates? I can't judge the relative strength of the top players

Nor me. Wei Yi reached 2700 at the age of 15/16 but stalled soon after so there's no guarantees. Given the emerging numbers there must be a decent chance of at least one of the Indians making it but in general there are some exciting prospects emerging.

I noticed that Magnus played the late night Titled Tuesday but losses to Robson, Nakamura & Bluebaum weren't what he was hoping for.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I think there is an increasing consensus that NA may indeed be the "real deal", but of course he has still to prove it.

[Mick Norris]

• So (6.5) - Abdusattorov (7.5)
• Van Foreest (4.5) - Giri (7)
• Rapport (5.5) - Ding (5)
• Caruana (6) - Keymer (4)
• Gukesh (4.5) - Aronian (6)
• Maghsoodloo (5) - Erigaisi (4)
• Carlsen (6.5) - Praggnanandhaa (5)

[Paul Cooksey]

11.00 start today

Abdusattorov (8) white against van Foreest, Giri (7.5) white against Rapport, and Magnus and So on 7.

Likely Abdusattorov will continue to protect his lead with a solid draw. Unlikely Rapport will play solidly, so a exciting final day and playoffs is a real possibility.

I thought we might see more of a changing of generations, but apart from Abdusattorov and Ding, standings mostly reflecting ratings. So on the whole the experienced players holding off the teenagers for one more year.

[LawrenceCooper]

11.00 start today

Abdusattorov (8) white against van Foreest, Giri (7.5) white against Rapport, and Magnus and So on 7.

Likely Abdusattorov will continue to protect his lead with a solid draw. Unlikely Rapport will play solidly, so a exciting final day and playoffs is a real possibility.

I thought we might see more of a changing of generations, but apart from Abdusattorov and Ding, standings mostly reflecting ratings. So on the whole the experienced players holding off the teenagers for one more year.

Pragg had a great start, making it to +2 but then had a 0.5/4 run pushed him below 50%. Arjun also had a solid start before 3 losses in a row. In contrast, Magnus recovered from 2 losses in a row and Rapport has totally turned around what looked like being a very difficult tournament.

[LawrenceCooper]

Giri storms into the lead thanks to a surprising blunder from Rapport. Nodirbek may be worse so no guarantee of him hanging on to his lead.

[Matt Mackenzie]

In Challengers, Eline Roebers is playing some interesting games.

Looks like she could finish dead last in the end.

Dropping one and a half points from two won positions earlier on was always likely to cost her, and so it has proved.

[Mick Norris]

Giri storms into the lead thanks to a surprising blunder from Rapport. Nodirbek may be worse so no guarantee of him hanging on to his lead.

Indeed, he doesn't and Giri wins the tournament, pleased for him

Donchenko wins the Challengers and will presumably play in the Masters next year

[Matt Mackenzie]

His (ultimately decisive) loss to Giri notwithstanding, Carlsen was generally rather more impressive with the Black pieces in this tournament.