D. Gukesh aims to secure Tata Steel Chess Tournament title against Wei Yi in 11th round

World champion D. Gukesh is on the brink of securing the season’s first major title as he leads the Tata Steel Chess Tournament by a slender margin. With just three rounds remaining, Gukesh needs 1.5 points to clinch the title and extend his unbeaten run.

Currently sitting at the top of the standings with 7.5 points, Gukesh faces a tough challenge in the 11th round as he takes on China’s Wei Yi. Last year, Gukesh lost to Wei Yi in a tiebreaker after finishing joint-first, making this matchup even more intriguing.

The young Indian prodigy has been in top form throughout the tournament, with five wins and five draws under his belt. With two games left with White pieces, Gukesh is the firm favorite to claim his maiden title, especially with his closest competitors facing tough matchups with Black pieces.

In addition to the title, Gukesh is also chasing the 2800 Elo rating milestone, which would make him only the third Indian to achieve this feat. With a current live rating of 2794, Gukesh is on the cusp of joining the elite club alongside Viswanathan Anand and Arjun Erigaisi.

Meanwhile, in the Challengers section, R. Vaishali has shown flashes of brilliance with five points, while Divya Deshmukh is looking to make a late resurgence with just two points. Czech GM Nguyen Thai Dai Van leads the Challengers section with 7.5 points, closely followed by Holland’s Erwin L’Ami on seven.

As the tournament enters its crucial stages, all eyes will be on Gukesh as he aims to secure the title and make history in the world of chess.