Wijk aan Zee, Jan. 28, 2024 – The 86th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament has become a true spectacle. After thirteen games, defending champion Anish Giri ended up on top together with Gukesh D (India), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan) and Wei Yi (China). In the end, a tiebreak had to determine who could call himself the winner. In the semifinals, Wei Yi managed to win from Abdusattorov. In the other semifinal, Giri was defeated by Gukesh D. Wei Yi eventually crowned himself winner in the final by defeating Gukesh D.
Tournament director Jeroen van den Berg: “What a tournament! And what a winner! I want to congratulate Wei Yi with the victory. He played a great tournament and eventually proved to be the very best in the tiebreak. Wonderful to be able to add him to our list of winners. And hereby he is immediately invited to come and defend his title next year.”
Talents with fighting spirit
“I have not experienced before that so many games in the tournament were finished winningly,” Van den Berg continued. “Normally a lot more draws are agreed upon. There were also many wins with black, which is also normally less common. It shows the fighting spirit of especially the young talented players. It was a tournament to remember.”
Winner Challengers
Seventeen-year-old Leon Luke Mendonca of India was winner of the Challengers. Mendonca thus qualifies for the Masters at the upcoming edition of the tournament in January 2025. Van den Berg: “The Tata Steel Chess Tournament is known for the fact that not only the absolute world top chess players are invited, but also for the fact that young talents get a chance to prove themselves. Leon Luke Mendonca is one such great talent, who immediately lives up to it in his first participation. He definitely deserves a place in the Masters next year.”
The 87th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament will take place from Friday, January 17 to Sunday, February 2, 2025, in Wijk aan Zee, of course.
