Giri closes the gap, Abdusattorov holds his lead – Tata Steel Masters R9 recap
Nine rounds are played at the Tata Steel Masters 2023 in Wijk aan Zee and Nodirbek Abdusattorov holds his lead in the event with 6.5 points. Anish Giri defeated Ding Liren to close the gap, and trails by half a point.
It was a thrilling game between Vincent Keymer and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Keymer was slightly better from the opening, reaching the winning rooks endgame after almost 5 hours of play. However, he missed his chances to take off the leader, and after 80.Rb6, Abdusattorov managed to hold a draw.
Anish Giri defeated Ding Liren with Black pieces. Giri reached a pleasant position in the middlegame and won the pawn after Ding Liren’s mistake 28.Nf4? The game lasted only 9 more moves and the Chinese grandmaster was forced to resign.
Richard Rapport won against Arjun Erigaisi in the 25-move miniature. Rapport, having black, built a very interesting attacking position and the Indian teen didn’t find a way to defend.
All the other games finished in draw. Rankings after 9 played rounds:
| 1 | Abdusattorov, Nodirbek | 6½/9 | 2713 |
| 2 | Giri, Anish | 6/9 | 2764 |
| 3 | So, Wesley | 5½/9 | 2760 |
| 4 | Carlsen, Magnus | 5/9 | 2859 |
| 5 | Aronian, Levon | 5/9 | 2735 |
| 6 | Praggnanandhaa | 5/9 | 2684 |
| 7 | Caruana, Fabiano | 5/9 | 2766 |
| 8 | Rapport, Richard | 4½/9 | 2740 |
| 9 | Maghsoodloo, Parham | 4/9 | 2719 |
| 10 | Ding, Liren | 4/9 | 2811 |
| 11 | Van Foreest, Jorden | 3½/9 | 2681 |
| 12 | Erigaisi Arjun | 3/9 | 2722 |
| 13 | Keymer, Vincent | 3/9 | 2696 |
| 14 | Gukesh D | 3/9 | 2725 |