In a thrilling encounter at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, D Gukesh secured a hard-fought victory against German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer in the fifth round on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in his career. Gukesh, playing with the white pieces, triumphed in a long and intense 72-move battle that showcased his resilience and experience, despite early mistakes.
The win not only marked an important individual achievement for Gukesh but also saw him overtake Arjun Erigaisi to claim the top spot in the live FIDE ratings, becoming India’s No. 1 player. In a gripping contest, Gukesh was able to seize an advantage in the middle game, gaining a crucial pawn despite Keymer’s attempts to tire him out. Although Keymer was a pawn up, Gukesh had an additional bishop, which tipped the balance in his favor. Keymer, despite fighting valiantly until the 72nd move, eventually resigned, acknowledging that Gukesh’s victory was inevitable.
This victory against Keymer was particularly significant as the German Grandmaster has played a key role in Gukesh’s recent rise, including his historic World Chess Championship match in December 2023. Keymer, one of Gukesh’s seconds during the World Championship, helped prepare the young Indian star for one of the most crucial matches of his career. Gukesh had already spoken about his close bond with Keymer and Pentala Harikrishna, who both played important roles in his preparation for the tournament.
In a pre-match interview before facing Keymer, Gukesh shared his approach to competing against friends and teammates, emphasizing the professionalism he brings to the chessboard. “Once I get to the board, in general I don’t really care about the opponent, whether it’s a good friend or anyone. It will be business as usual. We have developed a close bond over the year. I’m glad they’re playing in this tournament,” he said, underscoring the camaraderie and teamwork that are key elements of his approach to the game.
Keymer, speaking to Chessbase India, explained his role as a second during the World Championship match in Singapore, where he helped with opening preparations and strategy. “My job as a second during the match was, of course, to help prepare the openings. It’s good to bring your own style and ideas to the table, but ultimately it’s up to Gukesh and his head coach to decide. We had a direction before the match and knew what we wanted to look at in detail,” Keymer explained.
He further highlighted the importance of managing time during high-stakes matches like the World Championship. “The preparation is blitzed out. The general idea was to avoid getting into time trouble. Time trouble increases the risk of losing control, and that’s the last thing you need,” he noted. Reflecting on the first six rounds of the World Championship, Keymer added that they counted themselves fortunate not to be behind, as some games could have turned out differently.
Keymer, a former junior world No. 1 and now ranked 20th in the world with a FIDE rating of 2733, has garnered praise from chess legend Magnus Carlsen for his innovative opening ideas. Carlsen has lauded Keymer’s ability to approach the game with fresh perspectives and creative strategies, a quality that has made him a highly regarded player and a valuable contributor to Gukesh’s preparation for the World Championship.
As Gukesh continues to rise through the ranks and solidify his place among the chess elite, it is clear that the support and guidance of his seconds, particularly Keymer, have been integral to his success. The combination of Gukesh’s immense talent and the collaborative efforts of his team have propelled him to new heights, with his recent victory over Keymer symbolizing both personal achievement and the strong partnerships that have defined his journey to the top of the chess world.
With his India No. 1 title now firmly in hand and the memories of his World Championship triumph still fresh, Gukesh’s future looks incredibly promising. The young Grandmaster’s ascent is not just a result of his individual brilliance, but also a testament to the valuable support he has received from fellow grandmasters like Vincent Keymer.
