Vidit Gujarati let Russia’s Vladimir Fedoseev off the hook and missed out on a golden opportunity to join Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren in the lead at 3.5 points after five rounds of the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament here on Wednesday.
Vidit, holding a clear winning chances, failed to find the precise continuation and eventually drew following perpetual checks in 74 moves. The draw kept Vidit in the joint second spot with Viswanathan Anand, Anish Giri and Magnus Carlsen, going into Thursday’s rest day.
Ding Liren defeated USA’s Samuel Shankland for his second win while Nepomniachtchi drew with Hungarian Richard Rapport.
Meanwhile, Anand drew with Giri before the duo was joined by Carlsen, after the World champion outplayed local Jorden van Foreest for his first win.
In the Challengers section, R. Praggnanandhaa drew with World junior champion Iran’s Parham Maghsoodhoo to reach two points.
The results (fifth round): Anish Giri (Ned, 3) drew with Viswanathan Anand (3); Vladimir Fedoseev (Rus, 2) drew with Vidit Gujarati (3); Ian Nepomniachtchi (Rus, 3.5) drew with Richard Rapport (Hun, 2); Samuel Shankland (USA, 2) lost to Ding Liren (Chn, 3.5); Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 1) lost to Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 3); Teimour Radjabov (Aze, 2.5) drew with Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Pol, 2.5).
