Vidit Gujrathi to face Ding Liren in the first round of 86th Tata Steel Masters 2024
The first major chess event of the year 2024 is 86th Tata Steel Chess. Six Indians - three in Masters and three in Challengers will be seen in action. It is the highest ever, one more from last year. In Round 1 Masters it will be, Vidit Gujrathi vs Ding Liren (CHN), D Gukesh vs Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) and R Praggnanandhaa vs Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI). The Challengers section will have: IM Divya Deshmukh vs IM FT Stefan Beukema (BEL), IM Eline Roebers (NED) vs GM Leon Luke Mendonca and GM Marc Andria Maurizzi (FRA) vs GM Harika Dronavalli. Who are your picks to win the Masters and Challengers sections? Round 1 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST for both Masters and Challengers section. Photos: Tata Steel Chess
Ding Liren is back
The 86th edition will witness the highest number of Indians in the 'Wimbledon of Chess'. A total of six, one more from last year - three in Masters and two in Challengers. All six of them delivered strong performances in 2023. GM Leon Luke Mendonca, GM Harika Dronavalli and IM Divya Deshmukh have a great opportunity to win the Challengers section and secure their place in the Masters of the 87th edition. In this edition, the time control is slightly shortened as the third segment - an addition of 15 minutes is removed and there is no requirement of 20 moves in 50 minutes in the second time control.
Schedule
Starting from Saturday 13th to 27th January, all round starts at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Only Sunday 28th January, the final round will start at 12 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Rest days are same for both Masters and Challengers section - 17th, 22nd and 25th January 2024.
Photo Gallery
The opening ceremony took place in the conference center of Tata Steel in the Netherlands. The players from the Masters and the Challengers were present at the opening. Tournament director Jeroen van den Berg (NED) made the official draw of lots for the Tata Steel Masters together with FIDE Deputy Chair - WGM Dana Reizniece-Ozola (LAT).
Round 1 pairings
Time Control
100 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 50 minutes for the remaining moves with 30 seconds increment for each move starting from the first move.
