Tata Steel 12 - 28 Jan 2024

[Matt Mackenzie]

Even emerging with a plus score from his final three games (all against lower rated players) would salvage things a bit.

But its not just the losses, in most of his draws he has been distinctly unambitious.

[LawrenceCooper]

Even emerging with a plus score from his final three games (all against lower rated players) would salvage things a bit.

But its not just the losses, in most of his draws he has been distinctly unambitious.

If you don't approve of his win and draws then I'm starting to think you aren't a fan

[Matt Mackenzie]

Not at all, I was very pleased when he won the title. Just a bit disappointed that's all.

[LawrenceCooper]

Ding's tournament took a turn for the worse today when he fell into a stalemate trick when on the verge of victory:
https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tourn ... 024/12/1/7

[Matt Mackenzie]

And again, its a pretty basic thing to overlook (though strong GM's have done so before)

[LawrenceCooper]

And again, its a pretty basic thing to overlook (though strong GM's have done so before)

Even stranger that it wasn't move 40 as was the case with Gukesh when he allowed threefold repetition in a winning position.

[LawrenceCooper]

Ding's tournament took a turn for the worse today when he fell into a stalemate trick when on the verge of victory:
https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tourn ... 024/12/1/7

He still won though

[Matt Mackenzie]

Yes, did wonder if the win was still on - especially if White made a few inaccuracies themselves (which they did)

I think that is four losses in a row for Warmerdam now - what they sometimes call a "learning experience".

[LawrenceCooper]

Round 13 Masters:

Wei Yi (7.5) v Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (7.5)
Maghsoodloo, Parham (4.5) v Gukesh D (7.5)
Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (7.5) v Donchenko, Alexander (4.5)
Giri, Anish (7.5) v Warmerdam, Max (4)
Praggnanandhaa R (7) v Firouzja, Alireza (7)
Nepomniachtchi, Ian (6) v Van Foreest, Jorden (4)
Ding Liren (5.5) v Ju Wenjun (4)

Round 13 Challengers:

L'Ami, Erwin (8) v Maurizzi, Marc`Andria (8.5)
Mendonca, Leon Luke (8.5) v Divya Deshmukh (4.5)
Dardha, Daniel (8) v Vrolijk, Liam (5.5)
Korobov, Anton (7.5) Yilmaz, Mustafa (5)
Santos Latasa, Jaime (6.5) Niemann, Hans Moke (6.5)
Beukema, Stefan (2.5) Salem, A.R. Saleh (6.5)
Dronavalli, Harika (4.5) v Roebers, Eline (2)

[Jonathan Rogers]

Just in case the organisers in Toronto are wondering how they are going to match this, I suggest that most chess lovers will be content if a mere four candidates enter the last round as joint leaders, with only one player half a point behind.

[LawrenceCooper]

Wins for Abdusattorov, Giri, Gukesh & Wei Yi mean that four players finish on 8.5/13. I believe that there is a play-off to follow.

Leon Luke Mendonca won the Challengers with 9.5/13 to qualify for the 2025 Masters.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Ding makes no real effort to beat tail ender Ju with White in the final round, his play has definitely been off overall.

And make that five Warmerdam losses in a row, pretty sobering,

[LawrenceCooper]

Wei Yi-Abdusattarov & Gukesh-Giri in the semi-final tie-break.

[LawrenceCooper]

Wei Yi-Abdusattarov & Gukesh-Giri in the semi-final tie-break.

Wei Yi beats Gukesh in the final.

[Mick Norris]

I am just back from a weekend in Hull, so not followed this at all, sounds dramatic

Is this Wei Yi's best ever result?