Tata Steel Masters: Gukesh loses to Matthias Bluebaum, Arjun Erigaisi draws easy

NEW DELHI: World champion D Gukesh endured another setback at the Tata Steel Masters, going down to Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum in the ninth round, while Arjun Erigaisi had to settle for a quick draw against Hans Moke Niemann of the United States. World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov also played out a draw with sole leader and Uzbek compatriot Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who remains in charge on six points.Sindarov now shares second place with Jorden van Foreest of Holland and Turkey’s Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, all on 5.5 points, with Niemann close behind as the tournament heads into its final four rounds.Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun continue to struggle on four points apiece. For the world champion, it was yet another disappointing result with the white pieces.Opening with the king’s pawn, Gukesh opted for the Bishop’s Opening, a line rarely seen in elite events of late. Bluebaum responded confidently, finding counterplay straight from the opening and producing an imaginative sequence that left Gukesh’s light-squared bishop trapped by his own pieces.The German seized the initiative and played fearlessly, eventually winning a rook for a minor piece. From there, the outcome was inevitable, with Gukesh resigning on move 37.There was some cheer for India as Praggnanandhaa defeated Aravindh Chithambaram, outplaying him in what should have been a drawable rook-and-pawns endgame. It marked Pragg’s first win of the tournament, though it may have come a little too late.The standout performance of the day belonged to former champion Jorden van Foreest. Long regarded as the Netherlands’ best performer after Anish Giri, the Dutchman showcased his finest form this year by dismantling Germany’s Vincent Keymer in just 26 moves.Emerging from an irregular queen’s pawn opening, van Foreest launched a fierce kingside assault, sacrificing material in the centre to tear open the position before overwhelming Keymer’s exposed king.Meanwhile, 14-year-old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus continued his remarkable run by defeating Thai Dai Van Nguyen of the Czech Republic. Erdogmus is on course to make history as the strongest-ever 14-year-old player.Arjun, playing White in an English Opening, again failed to generate complications. After a promising start to the event, the top seed has struggled, and Niemann was quick to neutralise any ambitions. With Black prioritising development over castling, the position soon fizzled out, and the players repeated moves to agree a draw after just 22 moves.Results round 9: D Gukesh (Ind, 4) lost to Matthias Bluebaum (Ger, 5); R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 4) beat Aravindh Chithambaram (Ind, 2.5); Anish Giri (Ned, 4.5) drew with Vladimir Fedoseev (Slo, 4.5); Arjun Erigaisi (Ind, 4) drew with Hans Moke Niemann (Usa, 5); Javokhir SIndarov (Uzb, 5.5) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 6); Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 5.5) beat Vincent Keymer (Ger, 4); Thai Dai Van Nguyen (Cze, 3) lost to Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (Tur, 5.5).