World Champion D Gukesh seeks fresh start at Tata Steel Masters
Indian Grandmasters face tough opening-round clashes in world’s oldest elite chess tournament
World champion D Gukesh will look to regain consistency after a largely forgettable 2025 season when he begins his campaign at the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament, taking on World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan in the opening round here on Saturday.
The event will be a stern test for the Indian Grandmasters, featuring the youngest-ever field in the world’s oldest running elite tournament, which began in 1938 and has been held under the Tata Steel banner since 2011.
Gukesh, who won the World Championship in 2024 after defeating China’s Ding Liren, will aim to improve on his runner-up finish in the previous edition. He had lost to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa in the tie-breaks after both finished level on points.
Following that, Gukesh experienced mixed fortunes, registering notable victories including one against world number one Magnus Carlsen at Norway Chess, but also suffering early exits at the World Cup and the Grand Swiss.
Defending champion Praggnanandhaa is the only Indian this year to have secured qualification for the Candidates Tournament, scheduled for March–April. However, his form has dipped since sealing his place in the prestigious event.
Top seed Arjun Erigaisi, who will not feature in the Candidates, remains India’s highest-rated player as 2025 ended and will be keen to claim his maiden Tata Steel Masters title in this Dutch coastal town known for high-quality chess amid harsh winter conditions.
The fourth Indian participant, Aravindh Chithambaram, has been consistent enough to hover around the 2700 rating mark in the latest FIDE list and will be competing in one of the toughest tournaments of his career.
Gukesh skipped the Tata Steel Rapid and Blitz events, underlining his determination to focus fully on this tournament. However, he faces a formidable field that includes Anish Giri, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Vincent Keymer, and the strong Indian contingent.
While the tournament format remains unchanged, a new time control has been introduced, with no additional time added until 40 moves are completed, mirroring the system to be used in the upcoming Candidates Tournament.
The opening-round encounter between Gukesh and Sindarov, the 19-year-old World Cup winner, promises excitement. Known for his aggressive, no-draw approach, the youngest-ever world champion is expected to bring intensity from the very first move.
In other Indian match-ups, Arjun Erigaisi faces Praggnanandhaa, while Aravindh Chithambaram takes on Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum.
