Arjun Erigaisi Ends 24-Game Winless Streak, Puts D Gukesh’s Tata Masters Title Hopes at Risk
Arjun Erigaisi ended his 24-game winless streak in the Tata Steel Masters 2025, registering his first victory of the tournament against Uzbek Grandmaster (GM) Nodirbek Abdusattorov. His win has shaken up the title race, as D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa are now joint-leaders with 8.5 points heading into the final round.
In a crucial development, Gukesh was held to a draw by GM Jorden van Foreest, making his title chances uncertain. Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa defeated Alexey Sarana, securing a spot at the top of the standings alongside Gukesh.
With only one round remaining, Erigaisi could play a decisive role in the title outcome, even though he is not in contention for the championship himself.
Gukesh to Face Erigaisi in Final Round, Praggnanandhaa Takes on Keymer
The tournament’s final round will see D Gukesh facing Arjun Erigaisi, while Praggnanandhaa battles Vincent Keymer. The results of these two games will determine the champion of the Tata Steel Masters 2025.
Although Erigaisi cannot compete for the title, his performance against Gukesh could significantly impact the final standings. If he manages to hold or defeat Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa could have a clear path to winning the championship.
Gukesh’s Response to the Title Race
After his draw against van Foreest, Gukesh was asked if he was keeping track of Praggnanandhaa and Abdusattorov’s games.
"A bit, but mostly I was just focused on my game. It was clear that Abdu had done something wrong and Pragg was dominating from the start," Gukesh said.
When asked about his upcoming clash against Erigaisi, Gukesh responded:
"Quite nice, I am already happy today that I managed to escape this game, but everything is set up for an exciting finish. I will just try to enjoy."
Live ELO Ratings: Gukesh Rises to World No. 3
Despite the draw, Gukesh has now climbed to World No. 3 in the live ELO rankings with a rating of 2791.9, surpassing Fabiano Caruana.
The updated live ELO standings are:
- Magnus Carlsen – 2833.0
- Hikaru Nakamura – 2802.0
- D Gukesh – 2791.9
- Fabiano Caruana – 2790.2
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov – 2774.0
The official FIDE rankings are yet to be updated, but Gukesh’s rise in live ratings reflects his exceptional performance in the tournament.
Final Round: All Eyes on Gukesh vs. Erigaisi
As the tournament reaches its climax, all attention is on D Gukesh vs. Arjun Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa vs. Vincent Keymer.
A win for Gukesh would secure him the Tata Steel Masters 2025 title, but if Erigaisi manages to hold him to a draw or defeat him, Praggnanandhaa could emerge as the winner.
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