"This time he led early, had a wobble with three draws and a loss, but was strong in the final two rounds. It was a long way for me, he said. I was very close every time and I failed year after year. I'm extremely happy to finally be able to win this tournament and to win in a very nice style."
"How much, if anything, he won remains a secret, for Wijk aan Zee prefers to distribute its funds via generous appearance fees rather than cash prizes. Many professional players prefer that. In Abdusattorov's penultimate round victory, he systematically demolished Matthias Blubaum's rickety king defences, while in the final round he reacted solidly when Erigaisi opened with the lively Evans Gambit 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 b4?!, gradually took the initiative, and won a 55-move ending."
Nodirbek Abdusattorov, aged 21, won the Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee tournament, with compatriot Javokhir Sindarov finishing close behind. Abdusattorov led early, suffered three draws and a loss, then produced strong play in the final two rounds to clinch victory. In the penultimate round he dismantled Matthias Blubaum's king position, and in the final round he countered Arjun Erigaisi's Evans Gambit, gradually seized the initiative, and won after 55 moves. This win followed his London Chess Classic triumph in December and elevates him to No. 5 in the live ratings.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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