Gukesh moves into joint lead

Wijk Aan Zee (Netherlands), Jan 21

D Gukesh overwhelmed local player Max Warmerdam for his third victory on the trot as the Indian GM climbed into joint lead after the seventh round of the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament here today. Gukesh took his tally to 4.5 points and now shares the lead with Nodirbek Abdusattarov of Uzbekistan and overnight sole leader Anish Giri of Netherlands.

The beginning of the second half also brought cheers in the Vidit Gujrathi camp as he scored his first win in the tournament at the expense of Firouza Alireza of France.

Gujrathi moved to joint fourth on four points along with compatriot R Praggnanandhaa and Alireza. Praggnanandhaa played out a draw with Jorden Van Foreest of Netherlands.