The Gukesh train keeps rolling at Tata Steel 2025

World Champion Gukesh D racked up his fifth win of the tournament in round 10, keeping the solo lead at 7.5/10 (+5). This time he took down the local man, Max Warmerdam, with the black pieces. On move 28, in the following position, Warmerdam played a simple 28. Rc1??, which looks natural, to improve the rook and attack Black’s queen.

But Gukesh slipped in 28. …Ne4!, threatening to take White’s queen with check and win material, and then 29. Qd1 Qb8! was a splendid follow-up. Suddenly Black has massive pressure on White’s kingside and broke in through the g3 square, winning five moves later.

Gukesh’s live rating creeps a few points closer to 2800, now sitting at 2794, per 2700chess, with three games to play. All the games can be viewed on Lichess.

Graphic via Chess24/Chess.com