Tata Steel Chess 2025: Key Moments Through Round 7

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Hey chess lovers! The Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025 is in full swing, and it’s living up to its mark as the “Wimbledon of Chess.” Taking place at Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, for the 87th edition, running from January 17 to February 2. It features an impressive lineup of 14 Grandmasters in the Masters section, and let’s just say, the games have been nothing short of amazing!

With 7 rounds already wrapped up by January 25, we’ve seen all sorts of surprises, brilliant plays, and some epic comebacks. Let’s break down the current standings and revisit those key games that have defined the tournament so far.

Top 5 Players After Round 7

Here’s how the players stack up after Round 7:

Rank Player Rating Points 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 GM Gukesh Dommaraju 2777 5 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 1 1
2 GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov 2768 5 1 1 1 – – – –
3 GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu 2741 5 1/2 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 1 1
4 GM Vladimir Fedoseev 2717 4.5 1/2 0 1 1 1/2 1/2 1
5 GM Alexey Sarana 2677 4 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 – –

Total Participants in the Masters Section

The Masters section includes a stellar roster that features:

  • GM Fabiano Caruana
  • GM Arjun Erigaisi
  • GM Gukesh Dommaraju
  • GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov
  • GM Wei Yi
  • GM Harikrishna Pentala
  • GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu
  • GM Anish Giri
  • GM Vincent Keymer
  • GM Vladimir Fedoseev
  • GM Jorden van Foreest
  • GM Alexey Sarana
  • GM Max Warmerdam
  • GM Leon Luke Mendonca

    • Gukesh’s Stellar Win Over Harikrishna

    One of the standout moments in Round 7 was Gukesh’s incredible win against fellow countryman Pentala Harikrishna. This match really put Gukesh at the top of the leaderboard. The game kicked off with the French Opening—always a solid choice. Gukesh was quick to castle early on, setting the tone for the match.

    The turning point came when Harikrishna made the move Nfe7 on move 12, which wasn’t his best move. Gukesh seized the opportunity, establishing control in the center. Even when Harikrishna tried to bounce back with Kf5, it just made things worse for him.

    The critical moment arrived on move 29 when Harikrishna played Nxe3, allowing Gukesh to unleash the game-changing Qb7—especially brilliant in that position. Harikrishna threw in the towel on move 45 because he just couldn’t handle Gukesh’s relentless pressure.

    Key Highlights from Round 7

  • Gukesh’s Masterclass: His win over Harikrishna not only showcased his exceptional skills but also propelled him to 5 points, tying him at the top with Nodirbek and Praggnanandhaa.
  • Praggnanandhaa’s Tactical Draw: He faced Jorden van Foreest and held his ground by using the Sicilian Defense, resulting in a draw once the queens were off the board by move 16.
  • Tough Times for Arjun Erigaisi: Arjun had a rough game against Max Warmerdam that saw him making mistakes and landing at the bottom of the standings.

    • Other Notable Games

  • Leon Luke Mendonca kept his cool and managed a 40-move draw against Wei Yi.
  • Vladimir Fedoseev bounced back strong with a win over Vincent Keymer.
  • Anish Giri and Nodirbek Abdusattorov played a solid game that ended in a draw.

    • What’s Next

    With 6 rounds still up for grabs, Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Abdusattorov are in a strong battle, every move now counts. Will Gukesh hold onto his lead, or will another player make a game-changing move?

    Stay tuned for more updates as the excitement at Tata Steel Chess 2025 unfolds in beautiful Wijk aan Zee!