Uzbek grandmasters Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov share the lead with 7 points after 11 rounds of the Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk aan Zee. Sindarov defeated Arjun Erigaisi to catch up, while Hans Niemann joined the chasing pack at 6.5 points by beating Thai Dai Van Nguyen. With two rounds remaining, the title race remains wide open.
The 88th Tata Steel Chess Tournament, often called the 'Wimbledon of chess,' reached a thrilling stage after round 11 on January 31, 2026, in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. In the Masters section, Javokhir Sindarov caught compatriot Nodirbek Abdusattorov in first place with 7 points out of 11 by defeating India's Arjun Erigaisi with the black pieces in a tense Semi-Slav Defense. Sindarov navigated complications accurately and remains the only undefeated player in the tournament.
Abdusattorov drew against Jorden van Foreest, preserving his score. The chasing group now includes Germany's Matthias Bluebaum, the Netherlands' van Foreest, and American Hans Niemann, all on 6.5 points. Niemann secured a full point against Thai Dai Van Nguyen in a wild game where Nguyen missed chances before the initiative shifted decisively. Germany's Vincent Keymer, on 6 points, beat defending champion Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu after the Indian's sacrificial attack faltered against precise defense.
Anish Giri bounced back with a 32-move win over 14-year-old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus in a heavily analyzed Queen's Gambit Declined line, returning to 5.5 points. The all-Indian draw between world champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Aravindh Chithambaram saw Gukesh miss several winning chances. Erdogmus, who has set multiple age records as the youngest 2600-rated player, now stands at 5.5 after two losses but continues to compete strongly against elites.
In the Challengers, American Andy Woodward took sole first with 8.5 points by defeating Marc'Andria Maurizzi, while Vasyl Ivanchuk beat previous leader Aydin Suleymanli to join him at 8 points. Ivanchuk has won five of his last six games. Carissa Yip beat Eline Roebers and needs 1.5 points from her final two to secure her third grandmaster norm.
Round 12 features Abdusattorov with white against Bluebaum and Sindarov against Praggnanandhaa. Games start at 14:00 CET, with the final round on February 1.
