Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa clinched the Tata Steel Masters chess title on Sunday in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, overcoming reigning world champion D. Gukesh in a dramatic 2-1 tiebreaker.
After both players finished the 13th and final round tied at 8.5 points, the stage was set for an intense tiebreak showdown. Both had suffered unexpected losses in the final round—Praggnanandhaa to Germany’s Vincent Keymer and Gukesh to Arjun Erigaisi—yet remained joint leaders.
The tiebreaker unfolded with high tension:
- Game 1: Praggnanandhaa miscalculated in a reversed Benoni opening, losing a full rook and allowing Gukesh to seize victory.
- Game 2: Praggnanandhaa, playing Black, capitalized on a mistake by Gukesh to level the score.
- Sudden Death: Despite being in a drawish position, Gukesh lost control in the final minutes, blundering a piece and ultimately conceding the match.
With flawless endgame technique, Praggnanandhaa secured his first-ever Masters title, while Gukesh suffered heartbreak in the tiebreaker for the second consecutive year, having lost to Wei Yi in 2024.
The victory marks another milestone for Praggnanandhaa, reinforcing his status among the world’s elite chess players.
