chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing

🏆
TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
Tata Steel Challengers Tournament
Gawain Jones9/13(+7 -2 =4)[games]
Markus Ragger9/13(+6 -1 =6)[games]
Jeffery Xiong8.5/13(+7 -3 =3)[games]
Eric Hansen8/13(+5 -2 =6)[games]
Shanglei Lu8/13(+5 -2 =6)[games]
Ilia Smirin8/13(+6 -3 =4)[games]
Aryan Tari7.5/13(+4 -2 =7)[games]
Erwin L'Ami7/13(+2 -1 =10)[games]
Nils Grandelius7/13(+3 -2 =8)[games]
Benjamin Bok5.5/13(+2 -4 =7)[games]
Vladimir Dobrov4.5/13(+3 -7 =3)[games]
Jorden van Foreest4/13(+2 -7 =4)[games]
Tingjie Lei3.5/13(+2 -8 =3)[games]
Sopiko Guramishvili1.5/13(+0 -10 =3)[games]
*

Chessgames.com Chess Event Description
Tata Steel Challengers (2017)

The 2017 Tata Steel Challengers took place from 14-29 January in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands. The 14-player single round-robin offered the winner an automatic place in the 2018 Tata Steel Masters. Austria's Markus Ragger was top seed, while 16-year-old World Junior Champion Jeffery Xiong from the USA was one of the players to watch. The time control was 100 minutes for 40 moves followed by 50 minutes for 20 moves, then 15 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move from move 1. If two or more players tied for first place then a rapid or blitz playoff would be held. (1) Gawain Jones took first, winning the tiebreak against Markus Ragger, and qualified for Tata Steel Masters (2018).

Official site: https://history.tatasteelchess.com/.... Schedule and results: https://history.tatasteelchess.com/...

                 Elo   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
 1 Jones         2665  * 1 0 1 ½ 0 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1  9
 2 Ragger        2697  0 * 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1  9
 3 Xiong         2667  1 0 * 0 ½ 1 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 1  8½
 4 Hansen        2603  0 0 1 * 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½  8
 5 Lu Shanglei   2612  ½ ½ ½ 0 * 0 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 ½ ½  8
 6 Smirin        2667  1 ½ 0 0 1 * 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1  8
 7 Tari          2584  0 ½ 1 ½ 0 1 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1  7½
 8 l'Ami         2605  ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 0 1 1  7
 9 Grandelius    2642  ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 ½ 1 1  7
10 Bok           2608  0 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ 1 1  5½
11 Dobrov        2499  0 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 1 * 0 1 1  4½
12 van Foreest   2612  0 0 0 0 0 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 * 0 ½  4
13 Tingjie Lei   2467  ½ 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 * 1  3½
14 Guramishvili  2370  0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 *  1½
(1) Chess24: Tata Steel Challengers https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-t...

Previous: Tata Steel Challengers (2016). Next: Tata Steel Challengers (2018). See also Tata Steel Masters (2017)

 page 1 of 4; games 1-25 of 91  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. G Jones vs N Grandelius  ½-½202017Tata Steel ChallengersC45 Scotch Game
2. S Guramishvili vs S Lu ½-½412017Tata Steel ChallengersB90 Sicilian, Najdorf
3. Smirin vs V Dobrov  ½-½342017Tata Steel ChallengersB93 Sicilian, Najdorf, 6.f4
4. B Bok vs T Lei 1-0402017Tata Steel ChallengersD45 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav
5. M Ragger vs Xiong 1-0412017Tata Steel ChallengersB90 Sicilian, Najdorf
6. J van Foreest vs L'Ami 1-0402017Tata Steel ChallengersB18 Caro-Kann, Classical
7. A Tari vs E Hansen  ½-½492017Tata Steel ChallengersC96 Ruy Lopez, Closed
8. S Lu vs Smirin  0-1372017Tata Steel ChallengersA07 King's Indian Attack
9. T Lei vs M Ragger 0-1842017Tata Steel ChallengersE60 King's Indian Defense
10. Xiong vs J van Foreest 1-0642017Tata Steel ChallengersE62 King's Indian, Fianchetto
11. V Dobrov vs A Tari  ½-½402017Tata Steel ChallengersD96 Grunfeld, Russian Variation
12. N Grandelius vs L'Ami  ½-½372017Tata Steel ChallengersC07 French, Tarrasch
13. G Jones vs S Guramishvili 1-0352017Tata Steel ChallengersB51 Sicilian, Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack
14. E Hansen vs B Bok  ½-½262017Tata Steel ChallengersB94 Sicilian, Najdorf
15. L'Ami vs Xiong  ½-½292017Tata Steel ChallengersD20 Queen's Gambit Accepted
16. B Bok vs V Dobrov  0-1392017Tata Steel ChallengersB30 Sicilian
17. J van Foreest vs T Lei 0-1652017Tata Steel ChallengersB10 Caro-Kann
18. Smirin vs G Jones 1-0362017Tata Steel ChallengersC77 Ruy Lopez
19. M Ragger vs E Hansen 1-0242017Tata Steel ChallengersC65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense
20. S Guramishvili vs N Grandelius  0-1342017Tata Steel ChallengersB42 Sicilian, Kan
21. A Tari vs S Lu  0-1412017Tata Steel ChallengersB90 Sicilian, Najdorf
22. E Hansen vs J van Foreest 1-0332017Tata Steel ChallengersB48 Sicilian, Taimanov Variation
23. S Lu vs B Bok  1-0522017Tata Steel ChallengersB90 Sicilian, Najdorf
24. V Dobrov vs M Ragger 0-1452017Tata Steel ChallengersA34 English, Symmetrical
25. G Jones vs A Tari  1-0572017Tata Steel ChallengersA48 King's Indian
 page 1 of 4; games 1-25 of 91  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2)  

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 3 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Jan-18-17  starry2013: This has been quite a bloodbath.

Sopiko is well outrated which makes the invite surprising.

Jan-18-17  sonia91: Sopiko <qualified> to this tournament by coming second in the Top Ten tournament last year in Wijk aan Zee, which was won by Vladimir Dobrov : http://www.tatasteelchess.com/news/...

<The WGM is actually a GM-elect> and she is also the number 1 in the FIDE top girls list: http://ratings.fide.com/top.phtml?l...

Jan-19-17
Premium Chessgames Member		  ketchuplover: Xiong is down a rook :(
Jan-19-17  Mr. V: The Dutch have many young players: Robin Van Kampen, Benjamin Bok, Giri, Jorden van Foreest. Unfulfilled potential?
Jan-19-17  starry2013: Giri transferred across there, Van Wely is still probably the top ranked native.
Jan-20-17  paavoh: van Foreest is doing surprisingly poorly. I expected more of him, hopefully it is just a transient bad form.
Jan-21-17  GiuocoPianoMan: I find it fascinating that Anish finally won a game at a time and place where his wife is having a disastrous result. Almost as if he is defending the family pride. Coincidence?
Jan-21-17  dumbgai: Sopiko is totally outclassed here. Turns out that being significantly out-rated and being inactive due to having a recent baby is not a winning combination.
Jan-21-17  paavoh: Let us dearly hope that Morozevich and Kramnik do not get pregnant.
Jan-21-17  me to play: Guramishvili is having a rough go of things. If they still had the "c" group, she would probably be a bit more suited for that.
Jan-22-17  ndg2: Exactly. "C" group is sorely missed.
Jan-22-17  dumbgai: Hey, she drew today against Van Foreest (who is also struggling). All the way up to 1/8!
Jan-22-17  Mr. V: It was her or Anne Hast. I think Sopiko is doing better than Anne usually did.
Jan-22-17  sonia91: <I think Sopiko is doing better than Anne usually did.> In 2015 (Tata Steel Group B (2015) ) Anne Haast didn't do too bad imho: after 8 rounds she had 3/8 and eventually she managed to achieve an IM norm (i.e. 2450+ performance): http://ratings.fide.com/apps/236199...
Jan-22-17  dumbgai: <Mr. V: It was her or Anne Hast.>

But why? There are plenty of well qualified players to choose from. Hell, invite Kostniuk or Stefanova or someone like that if they must have a female.

Jan-22-17  mike1: yes, Sopiko is not a match to these players this year... But as far as I remember, somebody will come last in any given tournament format. AND she simply qualified for her spot in last year's group. See Sonia91's comment from the 18th.
Jan-23-17  Mr. V: <dumbgai> Because there aren't that many talented Dutch female players. Anne Haast, and then there's Sopiko whose husband plays for the Dutch federation. But that's not why she was invited, as stated earlier.
Jan-24-17  gopi11: This is getting interesting...
Jan-25-17  JohnBoy: Xiong catches the leaders at 7/10. Three rounds left.
Jan-25-17  fisayo123: Jeffery had a pretty tough start to this event with 3 blacks in his first 4 games but he's hitting his stride now. These things even out themselves eventually.
Jan-25-17  fisayo123: Pretty shocking performance so far from Van Foreest. I can't say I'm too surprised because I felt his 2612 rating overrated him a bit judging from what I've seen from his games. The fact that he's currently behind a no name Russian sub-2500 GM must be somewhat embarrassing for him.
Jan-25-17  sac 4 mate: <Jeffery had a pretty tough start to this event with 3 blacks in his first 4 games but he's hitting his stride now. These things even out themselves eventually.>

Indeed, he's won all his white games so far. He'll have a tough task on Friday against Smirin, however.

Jan-25-17  waustad: I couldn't find the tiebreak details if there is a tie for first. Who is elevated to the Masters section next year?
Jan-25-17  JohnBoy: Sopiko has an infant. That is always tougher on the mother than father. How much you want to bet she's the one getting up twice in the night to nurse the child.
Jan-25-17  dumbgai: And Hansen only a half point back. Come on, make me some chessbucks!
Jump to page #    (enter # from 1 to 3)
search thread:   
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 3 ·  Later Kibitzing>

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.

NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific tournament only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.
Spot an error? Please suggest your correction and help us eliminate database mistakes!
Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC