Archive · 24 Jan 2026
Gukesh Faces Uphill Battle After Loss in Tata Steel Masters
In the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament, India's D Gukesh had a tough loss and now needs to win most of his remaining games to stay in contention.
Nodirbek Abdusattorov from Uzbekistan is leading the tournament with 4.5 points after winning all his games with the white pieces.
Gukesh is now in a difficult position and will need to perform exceptionally well in the remaining rounds.
The tournament is in its 88th edition and is being played in a round-robin format with 14 players.
Another Uzbek player, Sindarov, is in second place.
Gukesh's performance has been a shock to him, and he will need to regroup for the upcoming challenges.
D Gukesh suffered a significant loss in the sixth round of the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament.
Nodirbek Abdusattorov took the sole lead with 4.5 points, winning all his games with the white pieces.
Gukesh now needs to win at least four of his remaining seven games to stay in contention.
Sindarov, another Uzbek player, is in second place in the tournament.
The Tata Steel Masters is in its 88th edition and features a round-robin format with 14 players.
- Who
- D Gukesh (India) and Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan)
- What
- Chess match in the Tata Steel Masters tournament
- When
- Round 6, January 23
- Where
- Wijk Aan Zee, The Netherlands
- Why
- Part of the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament
- Tournament
- Tata Steel Masters
- Round
- 6
- Gukesh's Current Points
- 3
- Abdusattorov's Current Points
- 4.5
- Tournament Format
- Round-robin with 13 rounds among 14 players
- Defending Champion
- R Praggnanandhaa
- Location
- Wijk Aan Zee, The Netherlands
- Abdusattorov's Rating
- 2762.4 (World No. 6)
- Sindarov's Position
- Second place
Sources
Tata Steel Masters: Gukesh to meet Abdusattorov in round 6
With jaw dropping blunder, Gukesh loses to old foe Nodirbek Abdusattorov at Tata Steel Chess tournament
Gukesh Blunders Badly, Left in Shock with 'Terrible Feeling' at Tata Steel Masters
Gukesh suffers setback immediately after first win of 2026 as Nodirbek ends undefeated run at Tata Steel Chess
Tata Steel Masters: Gukesh to meet Abdusattorov in round 6
Inexplicable blunder causes Gukesh’s loss
