In a thrilling six-hour battle, world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju fought hard to secure a draw against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov during round 6 of the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. Abdusattorov dominated for much of the match, but Gukesh showed remarkable resilience and skill, managing to salvage half a point. This draw keeps Gukesh’s impressive streak alive, as he has repeatedly found ways to escape tough positions.
The match attracted significant attention, especially because of the intense rivalry between the two players that dates back to the 2022 Chennai Olympiad. In that event, Gukesh’s loss to Abdusattorov cost India a chance at gold. The memory of that defeat added extra tension to their encounter, highlighted by Abdusattorov’s fierce glare before making his first move.
Magnus Carlsen, a former world champion and commentator for Chess24, was critical of Gukesh’s strategy in this game, dubbing it a “spectacular failure.” Yet, he praised Abdusattorov for his precise and ruthless play. “He calculates perfectly and seizes the moment,” Carlsen remarked, admiring the young Uzbek’s performance.
Faced with pressure throughout the match, Gukesh acknowledged his struggles, particularly in the opening phase. He said, “I was under pressure for the whole game. I think I misplayed in the opening. I defended pretty well, but I’m sure he had some chances.” This match marks the second time in the tournament that Gukesh managed to escape from a precarious position, having previously turned around a challenging game against Anish Giri.
Gukesh also expressed respect for Abdusattorov, calling him “one of the most promising players in the world.” He noted, “It’s always exciting to play against players who fight hard.” Despite the disappointment of not converting his advantage, Abdusattorov remains at the top of the standings, tied with GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. Gukesh is just half a point behind, keeping him firmly in contention as the tournament nears its conclusion.
Check out this related article: Discover Groundbreaking Real-World Insights on LONSURF® from Taiho Oncology at the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium
Source linkworld chess champion,Gukesh Dommaraju,Tata Steel Chess Masters,Nodirbek Abdusattorov,Magnus Carlsen,D Gukesh
