Praggnanandhaa Stuns Gukesh to Win Tata Steel Masters 2025 in Thrilling Tie-Break!
02.02.2025 20:31 | NewsAn intense final day saw Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa defeat world champion Dommaraju Gukesh in a dramatic sudden-death showdown, claiming victory at the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025.
The Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025 in Wijk aan Zee ended in spectacular fashion as R Praggnanandhaa triumphed over world champion D Gukesh in an intense tie-break battle. The two Indian prodigies entered the final round tied at the top of the standings, but both suffered unexpected defeats, leading to a playoff. Praggnanandhaa held his nerve in the blitz games, leveling the score after an initial loss before delivering a masterclass in sudden death to claim the prestigious title. For Praggnanandhaa, this victory is a defining moment in his career, highlighting his ability to rise to the occasion under pressure. Gukesh, on the other hand, experienced his first loss as world champion, a tough setback after remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. Despite this, his performance reaffirmed his place at the pinnacle of world chess.
The Tie-Break Battle: Praggnanandhaa Holds His Nerve
Game 1: Gukesh Takes the Lead
Playing with the black pieces, Praggnanandhaa started well, but Gukesh forced him into deep calculation early on. Despite giving up a pawn, the world champion found an opportunity to seize the initiative but failed to capitalize on it. As time pressure mounted, Praggnanandhaa made a costly blunder, handing Gukesh the win.
Game 2: Praggnanandhaa Strikes Back
With the white pieces, Praggnanandhaa built a solid position and gradually tightened his grip. Gukesh tried to hold on but found himself in a precarious situation with limited time. Praggnanandhaa maintained control, eventually forcing Gukesh into resignation, setting up a thrilling sudden-death decider.
Sudden Death: Praggnanandhaa’s Moment of Glory
As per the rules, Praggnanandhaa started with White but with a 30-second time disadvantage. Gukesh gained an early pawn advantage, but the position remained balanced. With just seconds left, the world champion avoided a threefold repetition but miscalculated, allowing Praggnanandhaa to take over. Keeping his composure, Praggnanandhaa converted his winning position, leaving Gukesh with no escape. The world champion slumped back in his chair, acknowledging defeat as Praggnanandhaa was crowned champion.
Final Round Drama: Gukesh’s First Defeat and Missed Opportunities
Praggnanandhaa Falters Against Keymer
In a grueling six-hour marathon, Praggnanandhaa faced Vincent Keymer in a Caro-Kann battle. Despite initially achieving an equal position, a mistake on move 34 put him in trouble. However, Keymer failed to capitalize immediately, allowing Praggnanandhaa to fight back. As the endgame unfolded, Praggnanandhaa made one final blunder, which Keymer exploited to claim victory.
Gukesh’s Struggles Against Erigaisi Continue
Dommaraju Gukesh’s difficult record against Arjun Erigaisi persisted as he suffered his first loss as world champion. Playing White, Gukesh opted for Petrov’s Defense, the same opening he used against Ding Liren in the World Championship. Despite a promising position, a miscalculation on move 14 and further inaccuracies cost him dearly. Erigaisi launched a precise attack, tightening his grip as Gukesh struggled for counterplay. By move 31, it was clear that the world champion was in a lost position. Realizing his fate, he resigned, marking his sixth loss in 13 encounters against Erigaisi.
Abdusattorov’s Missed Chance for a Three-Way Playoff
After a devastating loss to Erigaisi in the previous round, Nodirbek Abdusattorov unexpectedly found himself back in contention. With Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa both losing, a victory against Pentala Harikrishna would have secured him a spot in the tie-break. Abdusattorov had an early advantage after Harikrishna blundered his rook move on move 19, but he failed to press for the win. Harikrishna defended accurately, steering the game to a draw. With no clear path to victory, Abdusattorov settled for a threefold repetition, ensuring an Indian champion at Tata Steel 2025.
Final Standings
- R Praggnanandhaa - 8.5
- Dommaraju Gukesh - 8.5
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov - 8.0
- Vladimir Fedoseev - 7.5
- Wei Yi - 7.0
- Anish Giri - 7.0
- Pentala Harikrishna - 6.5
- Fabiano Caruana - 6.0
- Vincent Keymer - 6.0
- Jorden van Foreest - 5.5
- Alexey Sarana - 5.5
- Arjun Erigaisi - 5.5
- Leon Luke Mendonca - 5.0
- Max Warmerdam - 4.5
Praggnanandhaa’s Tata Steel Masters 2025 victory is a testament to his fighting spirit and nerves of steel. His ability to bounce back from setbacks and deliver under immense pressure highlights his growing stature as one of the world’s top chess players. Meanwhile, Gukesh, despite the heartbreak, remains a formidable force, and his resilience will surely drive him forward.
With young superstars dominating the tournament, the future of chess looks brighter than ever. The 2025 season has just begun, and with talents like Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and Abdusattorov leading the charge, fans can expect many more thrilling battles ahead.