Tata Steel Masters Playing Schedule

All rounds start at 13:30 in Wijk aan Zee, except for Sunday the 26th when the round starts at 12.00. The first round is on 11 January. Restdays for the Masters and Challengers are scheduled on 15 January, 20 January and 23 January. 

Chess on Tour Round (Round 5, 16 January in Eindhoven) start at 14:00

Live Commentary starts at 14:00 in Wijk aan Zee and 14:00 at the Chess on Tour location. For the full commentary programme click here.

Rate of play Masters and Challengers

100 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 50 minutes for 20 moves, then 15 minutes for the remaining moves with 30 seconds cumulative increment for each move starting from the first move.

Tiebreak Rules - Tata Steel Masters

In case two players share first place in the Masters (if more players share first prize, the first two players will be selected according to the criteria as stated below), they will play a tie-break after the last round, on Sunday 26, January 2020. The time control for two Blitz games is 5 min + 3 sec and possible Armageddon in the third game (White has 5 minutes and Black 4 minutes, + 3 sec increment as of move 60). Drawing of lots will be provided by the Chief Arbiter. A tie-break will start at 18.00 hours sharp. During the tie-break only a selected number of press photographers and camera crews will be allowed in the playing area.

If other games are still in progress then, they will be moved to the “Amateur section” close to the Masters and Challengers groups, where they will be continued. The Chief Arbiter will decide when these games will be moved and players are expected to abide by this decision.

Tiebreak criteria for play-off

1. the mutual result
2. the Sonneborn-Berger score
3. the player with more number of games with black
4. drawing of lots