TATA Steel Masters 2024 Round 5: Gukesh Strikes Back

Overview

We are nearing the half-way mark of the marathon 14 round Tata Steel Masters 2024. In Round 5, Gukesh strikes right back after his loss against Giri. Playing actively, he outlasts 2-time World Championship Challenger Nepomniachtchi. Gukesh vs Nepomniachtchi (1-0) (Our featured game today, check below!)

A hard fought draw, with both players left unsatisfied

The other Indian phenom had tournament leader Giri on the ropes with the topical Jobava-London. After fending off Praggnanandhaa for a good 20 moves, both players agreed to a draw after the time control. Praggnanandhaa vs Giri (0.5-0.5)

Ju Wenjun shares a small smile

In the other decisive game of the round, Ju Wenjun takes down the highest rated scalp of her career in an exchange French gone wrong for Black. Alireza never fully equalised out of the opening and eventually overpressed in an inferior position. Ju Wenjun vs Alireza (1-0)

Standings after Round 5

Analysis: Board 6: Gukesh (2725) - Nepo (2769)

We start the analysis from Gukesh's novelty of 11.Rd1. Particularly instructive is how Gukesh skillfully positions his knights while Nepo is forced to passively defend.

Even after Nepo's disasterious blunder of 34...Bb4??, he still had chances to fight. Alas, he missed the mark. There, we examine why that happened and how we should react, should we ever get a similar position.

A tough day in the office

A skillful takedown of a strong opponent for Gukesh.

Conclusion

Having reflected on the past 4 blog posts (its been 4 already!?), I tried to make today's analysis more accessible to all levels of chess players. Please do let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions for future series of blog posts.

With that, see you tomorrow!
Ethan

If you have missed my earlier analysis:

Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4

Photo credits:
1. Photo of Giri & Praggnanandhaa: Jurriaan Hoefsmit – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024
2. Photo of Ju Wenjun: Jurriaan Hoefsmit – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024
3. Photo of Standings: https://tatasteelchess.com/
4. Photo of Nepo: Lennart Ootes – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024