Nodirbek Abdusattorov criticized the time control at Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee 2026 following his fourth-round victory. He went deep into his Petroff Defence and expressed concerns that extended thinking time favors defenders who face opening difficulties.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov

Nodirbek Abdusattorov

Uzbek Grandmaster, World's Top-12

Honestly I thought this is the worst time control. I mean for decisive results because I thought, the old or normal time control is 1 hour and 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment is better, because there’s too much time to think and to figure out. The problem if an opponent gets problem from opening, he has more time and I thought it is easier for weaker side to solve his problems. So far it is controversial, but at least that was my feeling

The Tata Steel Chess Masters 2026 takes place in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands from January 17 to February 1. The event features a 100+0 time control for the first 40 moves and 50+30 for the rest of the game over one Round-Robin between 14 players.

Photo: John Saunders