88th Tata Steel 2026 R1: Arjun Erigaisi makes a winning start against the defending champion Praggnanandhaa
18/01/2026 - The first round of 88th Tata Steel Chess started 1.5 hours after the scheduled due to demonstrations taking place outside of the venue. World no.5, Arjun Erigaisi started the event with a win over the defending champion, R Praggnanandhaa. The World no.8 opted for the Albin-Counter Gambit, possibly avoiding to reveal his Candidates preparation. He landed himself in a worse position out of the opening. Arjun had no trouble seizing his advantage and converting it into a win. World Champion, D Gukesh missed a win against FIDE World Cup 2025 winner, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB). The talented Uzbek showed great resiliency by delivering incessant checks forcing his opponent to go wrong and salvage a draw. Round 2 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST for both Masters and Challengers section. Photo: Prajwal Bhat