Bluebaum Beats Gukesh for Third Win at Wijk aan Zee

Summary: Matthias Bluebaum hands Gukesh his third defeat as the Tata Steel Masters heats up.

German grandmaster Matthias Bluebaum scored a notable victory at the Tata Steel Chess Masters, defeating India’s D Gukesh in a hard-fought encounter on Wednesday that marked the young Indian’s third loss of the tournament.

The win saw Bluebaum outwit Gukesh in a tense middle game that ultimately tipped in his favour after a critical tactical sequence. Gukesh, the reigning world champion and one of the event’s top seeds, had looked steady early on — but a moment of positional inaccuracy gave Bluebaum the opening he needed to seize the advantage and steer the game toward a full point. The result left Gukesh with three defeats so far in this edition, a challenging stretch for a player expected to be among the frontrunners.

Bluebaum’s performance has been one of the more consistent displays in the tournament, and Tuesday’s result underscored his ability to capitalise on opportunities against even elite competition. The German grandmaster’s tactical sharpness and endgame precision earned him praise from commentators and fans alike, and his win over Gukesh reinforces his own credibility as a contender in one of the most prestigious chess events of the year.

In a field full of the best players in the world, Gukesh will learn from the defeat, even though it will be difficult for him to accept. The Tata Steel Masters, also known as the "Wimbledon of chess," has minimal tolerance for mistakes amid severe rivalry and pressure, so even the slightest of blunders can give an opponent an advantage. Gukesh showed incredible resilience in past events, and athletes of his level are anticipated to bounce back swiftly from challenges like this one.

The Tata Steel Chess Masters produced a wide range of results, including a few surprises that shook the rankings early on. While some favourites have held steady, others have been tested by inspired play from lower-ranked grandmasters, making this year's event especially unpredictable.

Bluebaum’s win over Gukesh adds fresh intrigue to the leaderboard as the event heads into its next rounds. Every game at Wijk aan Zee carries weight, and a single victory — like the one Bluebaum just notched — can change the complexion of the race for top honours.

Fans watching online and at the venue were quick to praise both competitors: Bluebaum for his striking tactical execution, and Gukesh for fighting hard even when the position became difficult. Despite this setback, Gukesh remains one of the tournament’s most-watched players, with plenty of rounds left in which to make an impact.

As the Tata Steel Masters progresses, all eyes will be on how the young Indian recalibrates and how Bluebaum builds on a performance that has now turned heads in the chess world. Whether Gukesh can regroup and climb back up the standings, or whether Bluebaum continues his surge, one thing is clear — this year’s tournament is far from decided.