In a thrilling six-hour showdown, newly-crowned world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju salvaged a hard-fought draw against his rival, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, during round 6 of the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025 in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. Despite Abdusattorov’s dominant position for much of the game, Gukesh displayed remarkable resilience to claw back and secure half a point, continuing his streak of escaping from challenging positions.
The much-anticipated encounter saw Abdusattorov, who has been in stellar form throughout the tournament, seize an early advantage with a series of precise and aggressive moves. At one point, former world champion Magnus Carlsen, providing commentary for Chess24, criticized Gukesh’s approach, calling it a “spectacular failure.” However, Carlsen also praised Abdusattorov’s exceptional precision. “He’s ruthless when given a chance. His calculations, sense of momentum, and mental strength have been incredible,” said Carlsen, an eight-time Tata Steel champion.
The intensity of the match was amplified by the history between the two young grandmasters, dating back to the 2022 Chennai Olympiad, where Abdusattorov’s victory over Gukesh dashed India’s hopes for gold, with Uzbekistan clinching the top spot. The rivalry added extra drama, highlighted by Abdusattorov’s icy glare at Gukesh before making his first move.
Despite being on the back foot for much of the game, Gukesh, who recently replaced compatriot Arjun Erigaisi as the highest-ranked Indian player (now fourth in the latest FIDE rankings), showcased tenacity and resourcefulness to hold his ground. Reflecting on the match, Gukesh admitted his early missteps. “I was under pressure the whole game. I think I misplayed in the opening, but I defended pretty well. I’m sure he had some chances, but I kept finding tricks to stay in the game,” he said.
This marked the second time in the tournament that Gukesh managed to escape with a draw from a losing position, having earlier turned the tables against Anish Giri in the opening round.
Speaking about his opponent, Gukesh expressed his respect for Abdusattorov’s playstyle. “He’s one of the most promising players in the world right now. I really like how he plays. He always tries to fight and it’s always exciting to play against these kinds of players.”
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