GM Hans Niemann scored a brilliant win over GM Aravindh Chithambaram to join GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the lead of the 2026 Tata Steel Chess Masters on three points out of four. Abdusattorov was the first player to beat GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen, while the day’s other win was scored by GM Javokhir Sindarov, who unleashed the combination of the day to punish one loose move by GM Matthias Bluebaum. Dutch GMs Anish Giri and Jorden van Foreest survived scares to hold long endgames against GMs Arjun Erigaisi and Vladimir Fedoseev, respectively.
Once again the 2026 Tata Steel Chess Challengers saw six decisive games, with GM Aydin Suleymanli beating IM Lu Miaoyi to retain the sole lead on 3.5/4, while GMs Marc’Andria Maurizzi, Andy Woodward, and IM Faustino Oro all won to stay within half a point. The day’s other winners were IM Carissa Yip and GM Erwin l’Ami, with the Dutchman bouncing back from three losses by beating GM Vasyl Ivanchuk.
This is a flash report—come back later for full player quotes and analysis!
Round five starts on Wednesday, January 21, at 8 a.m. ET/ 14:00 CET / 6:30 p.m. IST.
Masters: Niemann, Abdusattorov Take Lead As Sindarov Plays Brilliancy
Tata Steel Masters: Round 4 Results
We got three powerful wins in round four, and some intense draws, including in the repeat of last year’s playoff, GM Gukesh Dommaraju vs. GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu.
Tata Steel Masters: Standings After Round 4
Five leaders have been reduced to two, with Sindarov joining a three-player pack half a point behind.
Our Game of the Day is Niemann’s impressive win with Black over Aravindh, which GM Dejan Bojkov analyzes below.
Challengers: Suleymanli Keeps Lead On Another Day Of 6 Wins
It was another wild day in the Challengers, with only one draw.
Tata Steel Challengers: Round 4 Results
20-year-old Suleymanli managed to win again and keep the sole lead, but 18-year-old Maurizzi, 15-year-old Woodward, and 12-year-old Oro are breathing down his neck just half a point behind.
Tata Steel Challengers: Standings After Round 4
How To Watch
The 88th edition of Tata Steel Chess takes place January 17-February 1, 2026, in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands. Both the Masters and Challengers groups are 14-player round-robin tournaments. The time control is 120 minutes for 40 moves followed by 30 minutes to the end of the game, with a 30-second increment only from move 41. No draw offers are allowed before move 40.
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