The Uzbek GM, 21, has a half-point edge, but rivals from his own country, the Netherlands, Germany, the US, and Turkey are all within one point
Nodirbek Abdusattorov still has a narrow lead as the “chess Wimbledon” at Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee heads into its final three rounds this weekend, but the Uzbek, 21, is battling to stay ahead of a quintet of rivals after being held to two draws and a loss in his last three games.
Leading scores after 10 of the 13 rounds are Abdusattorov 6.5, Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan), Matthias Blübaum (Germany) and Jorden van Foreest (Netherlands) 6, Hans Niemann (US) and Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (Turkey) 5.5. The world champion, Gukesh Dommaraju, is among three players on 5.
Erdogmus, 14, has already set multiple age records. He is the best 12, 13 and 14-year-old in chess history. He is the youngest ever 2600-rated player, and is now closing in on the 2700 mark, where he would beat the previous records set by China’s Wei Yi at 15 years, nine months and Magnus Carlsen at 16 years, four months.
He has a wealthy sponsor, and is coached by the elite GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. His playing style is a well-organised mix of strategy and tactics, and he has already played the “Turkish Immortal” game at the 2025 Fide Grand Swiss. Erdogmus looks increasingly like a player who will dominate world chess in the 2030s.
