2024 Tata Steel Chess Masters Picks

After securing his first world title in April 2023, World Champion Ding Liren from China is set to make a comeback to the global chess scene. This January he competes at the 86th Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee. Among the notable participants in the competition, featuring a total of fourteen Masters and fourteen Challengers, Liren stands out as one of the prominent names to watch.

What? Tata Steel Chess Tournament
Where? Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands
When? January 13-28, 2024

Tata Steel Masters Chess
Ding Liren	+250	+250	+250
Alireza Firouzja	+450	+450	+450
Ian Nepomniachtchi	+600	+600	+600
Nodirbek Abdusattorov	+700	+700	+700
Anish Giri	+900	+900	+900
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa	+900	+900	+900
Dommaraju Gukesh	+1600	+1600	+1600
Parham Maghsoodloo	+1600	+1600	+1600
Vidit Gujrathi	+1600	+1600	+1600
Alexander Donchenko	+3000	+3000	+3000
Jorden Van Foreest	+3000	+3000	+3000
Wei Yi	+3000	+3000	+3000
Max Warmerdam	+5000	+5000	+5000
Wenjun Ju	+5000	+5000	+5000

Odds are subject to change

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The lineups for the Tata Steel Chess Masters and Challengers, both featuring 14-player round-robins, have been revealed. We will see a formidable assembly of seven top-20 players and a total of three world champions. The 86th edition of this prestigious super tournament is scheduled to unfold in the Dutch coastal town of Wijk aan Zee from January 13 to 28, 2024.

Notably absent from the roster is the former champion and eight-time Tata Steel Chess victor, GM Magnus Carlsen. It's the first time he has missed the event since 2014. Carlsen's absence is attributed to his participation in several other tournaments in February. It's only the second instance in 20 years that he is not part of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament.

Ding Liren (+250)

Chess fans are anticipating Ding's return to the chessboard in Wijk aan Zee. The world champion has been absent from official games since May. The 31-year-old disclosed in November that he faced challenges with an undisclosed illness, leading to his withdrawal from multiple events. Currently on the path to recovery, Ding is poised to make his comeback on January 13, marking his first official game in an impressive 244 days.

The world champ is unsurprisingly the betting favorite on his return to the game.

Ding Liren To win Tata Steel Chess Masters

+250

Bovada

Other Contenders

The defending Tata Steel Champion, GM Anish Giri (+900), returns to the competition. He will be joined by his Dutch compatriots, 2021 Tata Steel Chess winner GM Jorden van Foreest (+3000) and debutant GM Max Warmerdam (+5000) in the Masters category.

GM Alireza Firouzja (+450) is set to make a comeback to Wijk aan Zee after a three-year hiatus. In 2021, organizers publicly apologized to the then 17-year-old Firouzja for a controversial incident during a playoff. However, an agreement couldn't be reached the following year, leading to his absence. Now, in 2024, Firouzja returns to the tournament.

Former prodigy GM Wei Yi (+3000), who made his Masters debut at the age of 15 in 2016, is also making a return. Despite limited international appearances in recent years, Wei Yi, still ranked among the top-25 players globally, brings his skill to the Tata Steel Chess Tournament.

The lineup is enriched with promising talents. Indian prodigies GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (+900) and GM Gukesh Dommaraju (+1600) will be competing. Former world rapid champion GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (+700) will also be there.

Noteworthy participants also include two-time world championship challenger GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (+600), the oldest player in the group at 33, making his fourth appearance in the Masters. Grand Swiss winner GM Vidit Gujrathi (+1600), now ranked 15th globally, and the rapidly rising GM Parham Maghsoodloo (+1600), who secured a remarkable 6th place this year and climbed to 12th in the live world rankings, add to the impressive list of contenders.

About the Tata Steel Chess Tournament

The Tata Steel Chess Tournament boasts a venerable history that dates back to 1938 when it originated as an employee competition for the steel producer Royal Hoogovens in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. Evolving over the years, it has grown into one of the world's most esteemed chess tournaments. Renowned chess players, burgeoning talents, and enthusiastic amateurs alike make it a point to participate in what is often referred to as 'the Wimbledon of Chess.'

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