In a captivating match that extended beyond six hours, the newly-crowned world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju succeeded in securing a draw against his formidable opponent, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, during round 6 of the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025 held in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. Although Abdusattorov maintained a commanding position for a significant portion of the game, D Gukesh demonstrated remarkable resilience, managing to recover and earn half a point, thereby continuing his remarkable ability to navigate challenging situations.

The eagerly awaited encounter featured Abdusattorov, who had been in exceptional form throughout the tournament, seizing an early lead with a series of incisive moves. At one point, former world champion Magnus Carlsen, who was providing commentary for Chess24, criticized Gukesh’s approach, labelling it a “spectacular failure.” “Gukesh’s strategy has been a spectacular failure,” Carlsen remarked.

Nevertheless, Carlsen was quick to commend Abdusattorov’s accuracy. "Once he sees an opportunity, he is merciless. He calculates flawlessly, senses the momentum, and is mentally fully engaged. It has been extraordinarily impressive!” stated the Norwegian, who has claimed the title a record eight times.

The intensity of the match was amplified by the rivalry between the two young grandmasters, which traces back to the 2022 Chennai Olympiad. In that event, Gukesh’s defeat to Abdusattorov had effectively dashed India’s aspirations for a gold medal, with the Uzbek team ultimately taking the top honor. This backdrop added an extra layer of drama to their confrontation in Wijk aan Zee, as Abdusattorov began the game with a piercing glare directed at Gukesh before making his initial move.

Despite facing considerable pressure throughout the match, Gukesh, who recently surpassed compatriot Arjun Erigiasi to become the highest-ranked Indian chess player at fourth in the latest FIDE rankings, found a way to defend tenaciously and keep the game alive. Reflecting on his performance post-match, Gukesh acknowledged his early difficulties. "I was under pressure for the entire game; I believe I misplayed in the opening."

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