Tata Steel underway

Tata Steel is the first top level GM event of 2015, and it is now underway at it's traditional home of Wijk aan Zee. Unlike similar events held throughout the year, the organisers don't just pack the event with top 10 players, but like to spread the field out a bit. Nonetheless, any tournament that includes Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Lev Aronian and Anish Giri can still be called pretty strong.
Two rounds of the tournament have already been held, and it is Caruana who has jumped out to the lead, winning in both rounds. Carlsen, Giri and Aronian have all started with 2 draws, while Ivanchuk and Vachier-Lagrave are the only other players with a plus score.
In the Challengers event, young Australian IM Ari Dale looks to face a formidable challenge, at least on paper. In the tournament by virtue of winning last years qualifying event, he will be outrated by over 200 points in almost every game he plays. However he has got off to a promising start, drawing his first two games to sit mid field.
The rounds start at 11:30pm (Canberra time) and can be followed from the tournament website here.


Ding,Liren - Caruana,Fabiano [D78]
TataSteelChess2015 Wijk aan Zee (1.5), 10.01.2015