Gukesh suffers first loss as World Champion, loses to compatriot Arjun Erigaisi at Tata Steel Masters
Gukesh suffers first loss as World Champion, loses to compatriot Arjun Erigaisi at Tata Steel Masters
GM D. Gukesh lost his first classical game after becoming World Champion against compatriot Arjun Erigaisi during the final round of the Tata Steel Masters 2025 in Wijk aan Zee on Sunday.
Gukesh, who was the joint leader with another Indian GM, R. Praggnanandhaa ahead of the last (13th) round with 8.5 points, lost his game with white pieces.
With this loss, Gukesh’s chance to win the tournament lies in Praggnanandhaa’s hands who now just needs to draw his last-round match against Germany’s Vincent Keymer to claim the Tata Steel event.
If Praggnanandhaa loses this round, then he will face Gukesh in the tiebreaks to determine the winner.
Gukesh beat China’s Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in the World Championship match in Singapore to be crowned the 18th and the youngest World Champion.
Meanwhile, Arjun, who had a terrible start in the event, finished on high after beating two leaders — Gukesh and Nodirbek Abdusattorov — in the last two rounds. He wrapped his event with two wins, four losses and seven draws to finish with 5.5 in 13 rounds.
The other Indian in the event, Pentala Harikrishna held third-placed Abdusattorov to a draw, ensuring the lead for the title win remained with one of the Indians.
