The newspaper The Guardian analyzed Nodirbek Abdusattorov’s successful performance at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee. The newspaper cited Abdusattorov’s previous losses at the tournament and compared him to the 6th World Champion, Mikhail Botvinnik.

The Guardian

The Guardian

Newspaper

“Nodirbek Abdusattorov added to his growing reputation as one of the World’s top players when the 21-year-old Uzbek grandmaster triumphed in the Chess’s “Wimbledon” at Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee.

On his previous three attempts Abdusattorov, who has now surged to No. 5 in the Live ratings, had missed out in the final decisive rounds. This time he led early, had a wobble with three draws and a loss, but was strong in the final two rounds.

His serious and hard-working approach is reminiscent of the Soviet chess patriarch Mikhail Botvinnik, whose chess autobiography Achieving the Aim revealed a systematic approach to winning the World Championship.”

The Tata Steel Chess Masters 2026 took place in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands from January 17 to February 1. Uzbek GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov scored 6 wins and 6 draws to win the tournament with 9/13 points. Abdusattorov has previously competed in Wijk aan Zee three times, finishing 2nd in 2023, 0.5 points behind, 3rd after losing on tiebreakers in 2024, and 3rd, 0.5 points behind in 2025.

Credit: Lennart Ootes/Tata Steel Chess