"Its relations with the local community have previously been good, but this year protesters targeting Tata Steel drew attention to the company's heavy use of coal by dumping two tons of coal in front of the entrance, and draping a banner reading No chess on a dead planet over the sports hall. Play in the opening round eventually began one and a half hours late."
"There are also four of the eight Candidates who will meet in March for the right to challenge later this year for Gukesh's crown. Wijk aan Zee has changed its time limit to synchronise with the Candidates. There are two hours for the first 40 moves with no per move increment, followed by 30 minutes plus 30 seconds a move to finish the game."
Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee has been sponsored by the local steelworks for 88 years. Relations with the local community were previously good, but protesters dumped two tons of coal at the entrance and draped a No chess on a dead planet banner, delaying the opening round by one and a half hours. The 2026 field lacks the world top three but includes five of the next six and the world champion Gukesh. Four Candidates are present and the time control was changed to match the Candidates. Notable games include a 15-move win by Hans Niemann, a brilliancy by Javokhir Sindarov, and a strategic queen sacrifice by Niemann. After five rounds Niemann, Sindarov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov lead on 3.5/5; Gukesh, Fedoseev and Jorden van Foreest sit on 3, and 12-year-old Faustino Oro jointly leads the Challengers on 4/5.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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