Exciting Start to 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters: Gukesh Dommaraju Wins Despite Staring Defeat in the Face

World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju has started his campaign at the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters with a thrilling victory over Anish Giri, despite being on the brink of defeat. Giri, who seemed to have the upper hand, made a crucial blunder in the final moments of the game, allowing Gukesh to turn the tables and emerge victorious.

Gukesh’s win was not the only highlight of the round, as his world championship helpers Vincent Keymer and Pentala Harikrishna also secured wins in their respective games. Keymer managed to escape a lost position and capitalized on a blunder by Leon Luke Mendonca, while Harikrishna displayed a flawless performance to grind down Arjun Erigaisi in a position with two rooks against a queen.

In the Tata Steel Chess Challengers, there were only two draws in the opening round, with young talent Lu Miaoyi joining the likes of Nodirbek Yakubboev, Thai Dai Van Nguyen, Ediz Gurel, and Vaishali Rameshbabu in getting off to a winning start.

The excitement of the first round sets the stage for an intense competition ahead, with round two scheduled to start on Sunday, January 19. Stay tuned for player quotes, photos, and in-depth analysis of the games as the tournament progresses.

The 87th edition of the Tata Steel Chess tournament is being held in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands, with both the Masters and Challengers groups featuring 14-player round-robin tournaments. With top players showcasing their skills and young talents making their mark, chess enthusiasts can look forward to an action-packed event filled with strategic brilliance and thrilling encounters.