Hans Niemann and Nodirbek Abdusattorov claimed victories in round four of the Tata Steel Chess Masters to share the lead on three points each. Javokhir Sindarov also won to join the chasing pack on 2.5 points, while D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa drew to remain winless. In the Challengers, Aydin Suleymanli extended his sole lead with another victory.
Round four of the 2026 Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, delivered three decisive results in the Masters section, breaking a pattern of frequent draws in earlier rounds. Hans Niemann secured an impressive win as Black against Aravindh Chithambaram, highlighted by a tactical queen sacrifice on move 36 with 36…Nxe5!!. This move dismantled White's defenses, allowing Niemann to convert his queenside pawn advantage smoothly. It marked Niemann's first Black victory in the event after a quick round-one win and two draws.
Nodirbek Abdusattorov defeated Thai Dai Van Nguyen in a technical positional battle from a Petroff Defense. Abdusattorov gradually restricted Nguyen's counterplay and converted his edge methodically, moving to 3/4 alongside Niemann. Nguyen, the lowest-rated Masters player, had drawn his first three games but faltered here.
Javokhir Sindarov beat Matthias Bluebaum after Bluebaum's incorrect pawn capture on the queenside led to a tactical oversight on move 24. Sindarov seized the initiative and converted without issues, staying in contention at 2.5/4 and previewing their upcoming Candidates matchup in Cyprus.
Draws dominated the rest: D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa agreed to a 40-move threefold repetition, with Gukesh's 26.c4 opting for caution over the sharper 26.h5. International Master Soumya Swaminathan noted the move's implications post-game, suggesting Gukesh's preparation respected Praggnanandhaa's solidity. Gukesh has drawn all four games, while Praggnanandhaa follows two losses with two draws. Arjun Erigaisi held Anish Giri despite an extra pawn in the endgame, and Vladimir Fedoseev missed a winning sequence against Jorden van Foreest with 40.Rg5? instead of 40.Rc5.
In the Challengers, Aydin Suleymanli won with White over Lu Miaoyi in a balanced endgame, reaching 3.5/4 as sole leader. Marc'Andria Maurizzi, Andy Woodward, and Faustino Oro also triumphed to hit 3/4, while Erwin l'Ami upset Vasyl Ivanchuk with Black, rebounding from three losses.
The tournament, running 13 rounds, tests players amid cold Dutch weather, with round five pitting co-leaders Niemann and Abdusattorov directly before a rest day.
