Abdusattorov draws against Sindarov in Tata Steel Masters Round 9 to keep a half point lead - 9
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Nodirbek Abdusattorov continues to lead the Tata Steel Masters with a score of 6pts/9 after
drawing with closest rival Javokhir Sindarov. However there is now more of a chasing pack on 5.5pts following
wins for Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus over Thai Dai Van Nguyen and Jorden Van Foreest who absolutely
crushed Vincent Keymer in a sharp London System.
The travails of Gukesh continue when he was thoroughly outplayed by Matthias Bluebaum who is now a point off the lead alongside Hans Moke Niemann who now hasn't won since round 4. The final game to finish saw Praggnanandhaa beat Chithambaram Aravindh in a major piece endgame that seems to me likely to be worth studying.
Round 9 Standings: 1st Abdusattorov 6pts, 2nd= Erdogmus, Sindarov, Van Foreest 5.5pts, 5th= Niemann, Bluebaum 5pts, 7th= Giri, Fedoseev 4.5pts 9th= Keymer, Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh 4pts, 13th Nguyen 3pts and 14th Aravindh 2.5pts.
Round 10 Wed 28th 1pm Jan 2026: Abdusattorov-Fedoseev, Bluebaum-Giri, Erdogmus-Gukesh, Aravindh-Nguyen, Niemann-Praggnanandhaa, Keymer-Erigaisi and Sindarov-Van Foreest.