Tata Steel 2022 R4: Vidit and Arjun Erigaisi in sole lead
Vidit Gujrathi made a good practical decision to offer a draw at the right time against Andrey Esipenko. It was not clear which way the game was heading. The Russian decided to accept it. Since none of the pursuers scored a victory, Vidit maintained his sole lead 3.0/4, heading into the first rest day of 84th Tata Steel Chess 2022. Praggnanandhaa scored his first win of the event against Nils Grandelius. Arjun Erigaisi had a comfortable victory against IM Roven Vogel to take sole lead 3.5/4. Surya Sekhar Ganguly drew his game against Daniel Dardha. Today is a rest day. Round 5 starts tomorrow Thursday 20th January at 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022
Praggnanandhaa scores his first win of the event
The fourth round witnessed two decisive games in each section. Magnus Carlsen got the white pieces for the first time in a tournament against Jorden van Foreest. It was a very interesting game where the world champion had a very good opportunity at one point. It was not easy to spot as both players missed it and the game eventually ended in a draw. Apart from Praggnanandhaa, Mamedyarov was the other victor in the Masters who pulled a nice swerve against the FIDE World Cup 2021 winner, Jan-Krzysztof Duda.
Magnus - Jorden: 0.5-0.5
For the third consecutive year, the game between Magnus Carlsen and Jorden van Foreest ended in an interesting draw. Magnus got white pieces for the first time against Jorden at Tata Steel Chess and any other tournament for that matter.
Jorden played very confidently against Magnus. 19...g4 shows that. 20.Bxe4 fxe4 21.Qxg4 Qe8 22.cxd5 exd5 Black just sacrificed a pawn in front of the castled kingside and that also against the world champion. If that does not reek of confidence, it is difficult to say what does.
Black got the attack he desired for. The real question is, can this be converted into something substantial? While 33.h3 is still fine, the world no.1 retorted 33.g5 Rf5 34.h4 Bf8 35.R5c2 Be7 and Black is aiming for the bullseye on the g-file. 36.Rb2 Bxg5 37.Kf1! Qa7 and now computer says White is completely winning.
White is winning after 38.Ke2, however, it was certainly not easy to find. If the world champion did not find it during the game, it is definitely difficult for the mere mortals to find it. Moreover, being low on time could be a strong reason. The game continued 38.Qg4 Qa6+ 39.Kg1 Rg7 40.Rb8+ Bd8 41.Rxd8 Rf8 42.Rxf8+ Kxf8 43.Bb4+ Kg8 44.Qxg7+ Kxg7 and the resultant rook-bishop vs. queen endgame ended in a draw after a few more moves.
Vidit - Esipenko: 0.5-0.5
Just when Vidit's game against Esipenko started to get interesting and it felt like it could go either player's way, the game ended in a draw.
Computer might say that Black has a slight edge due to the center passed pawn. One cannot overlook the practical possibilities White has on the kingside with the bishop making some unpleasant threats. Black decided it was a good idea to accept the draw offer, thus Vidit maintained his sole lead 3.0/4.
Mamedyarov - Duda: 1-0
One thing we almost always get to see is, Duda playing creatively and exciting chess.
The position demanded Black to advance his king and Duda obviously did that 26...Kg5. It goes without saying that Black is obviously in the driver's seat. 27.Bc2 h4 28.Re3 and now Black needed to play 28...Bg7. However, he played 28...e4 which allowed White to bounce back 29.Nxf5 Kxf5 30.R3xe4 Rxc2 31.Kxc2 Bc5 32.g4+ Kg5 33.f4+
White is guaranteed to recover a piece after 33.f4+. The passed pawn on the h-file still keeps Black afloat.
Find out why 36...h3 and what Black should have played instead.
Praggnanandhaa - Grandelius: 1-0
Praggnanandhaa got a pleasant position out of the opening once his opponent, Nils Grandelius allowed him to create a protected center passed pawn.
11...e5 allowed White to play 12.d5 and get a strong center.
Position after 30...Qd6
30...Qd6 misplaced the queen, as it now lacks a proper square and a motif.
It is evident that White has a substantial advantage. Find out what should White do here to make the most out of it after 41...Rh4.
Vogel - Arjun Erigaisi: 0-1
GM Arjun Erigaisi scored a comfortable victory against IM Roven Vogel (GER) after the latter offered an unnecessary exchange sacrifice.
22.Rf5 was uncalled-for. 22.h4 was a better choice for White. The game continued 22...Nb4 23.Nxb4 axb4 24.Ne4 Bxf5 25.Rxf5 Bxe5 and Black won the game in another five moves.
Replay Round 4 Masters games
Replay Round 4 Challengers games
Round 4 results
Round 5 pairings
Standings after Round 4
Schedule
Starting from Saturday 15th January, all round starts at 6:30 p.m. IST, only Sunday 30th January, the final round will start at 4:30 p.m. IST. Rest days are - 19th, 24th and 27th January.
Time Control
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.
