Tata Steel Masters: Comeback day for Gukesh, Abdusattorov still unbeaten

After enduring a difficult phase earlier in the tournament, World Champion D Gukesh staged an impressive comeback at the 2026 Tata Steel Chess Masters on Sunday, defeating Vladimir Fedoseev to get his campaign back on track.

The victory came at a crucial moment for the Indian star, who had suffered two consecutive losses in the previous rounds. Showing composure and fighting spirit, Gukesh outplayed Fedoseev in a well-controlled game, reminding the chess world of his resilience and competitive edge at the elite level.

While Gukesh found his footing again, Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan continued his strong run , maintaining his position at the top of the standings. Abdusattorov’s consistency through the middle rounds has given him a narrow but significant advantage as the tournament moves into its decisive phase.

Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri , playing on home turf, also remained in focus after defeating Gukesh in the previous round. Giri’s victory contributed to Gukesh’s brief slump before the Indian champion’s timely recovery today.

Among other Indian players, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram continue to face stiff resistance in a tournament packed with emerging stars and experienced campaigners. Praggnanandhaa was held to a draw in his latest outing, while Erigaisi and Aravindh were unable to convert their chances into full points.

Elsewhere, several games ended in draws, including the clash between Hans Niemann and Jorden van Foreest , while rising talents such as Javokhir Sindarov and Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus continued to make their presence felt against seasoned opposition.

With the tournament entering its latter stages, the title race remains open despite Abdusattorov’s lead. For Indian fans, Gukesh’s win over Fedoseev stands out as a key moment , offering hope that the world champion can still finish strongly after an uneven start.

The Tata Steel Chess Masters, often referred to as the “Wimbledon of Chess”, promises more high-quality battles in the days ahead as the world’s best grandmasters fight for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.