Gukesh becomes joint leader at Tata Steel chess tournament after defeating World Championship second Harikrishna

Harikrishna is, successful fact, the 2nd subordinate of Team Gukesh that the teen had defeated astatine the Tata Steel chess tourney successful Wijk aan Zee. Gukesh has besides defeated German GM Vincent Keymer earlier successful the tournament. Gukesh has present drawn 4 games portion winning three.

Gukesh presently shares pb with compatriot Praggnanandhaa and Uzbek arch-rival Nodirbek Abdusattarov, who helium had defied successful circular 6 to salvage a gully from an inferior position. All 3 players person 5 points each aft 7 games with six much rounds remaining. Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa volition clash successful Round 8.

Talking astir facing Pragg, Gukesh said: “It’ll beryllium a chill game. All of america youngsters volition beryllium playing a batch of games against each different and each crippled volition beryllium exciting. It volition beryllium a amusive game.”

Magnus Carlsen had called the Tata Steel chess lawsuit astatine the Dutch colony of Wijk aan Zee similar a “detox for the soul”, due to the fact that it was an juncture to conscionable absorption connected the chess.

Gukesh agreed, saying it was bully however astatine Wijk aan Zee, determination were not excessively galore people.

“It’s bully (playing here), you look retired the model and you don’t spot anyone. And successful India you don’t get that. It’s bully to person this alteration and it’s a amusive tourney to play in. It had a peculiar spot successful my heart,” Gukesh said aft his win.

How Gukesh defeated Harikrishna

The satellite champion was playing with achromatic against Harikrishna. Gukesh held a flimsy borderline connected the committee from the 12th determination itself erstwhile harikrishna played 12… Nfe7?!, which the motor said was an inaccuracy alternatively of 12… Ncxd4 which was the champion determination successful the circumstance.

Two moves later, Harikrishna played different inaccuracy: 14… Nf5?! alternatively of 14…g6 which was the champion move.

But Gukesh held an overwhelming vantage aft Harikrishna played 29… Nxe3?? (classified by the motor arsenic a blunder alternatively of 29… Bxe3, which was the champion move).

From that constituent on, things were ne'er casual for Harikrishna arsenic the 18-year-old kept the unit until the end.