Overview
- Round 1 produced three decisive results, leaving Hans Moke Niemann, Vincent Keymer and Arjun Erigaisi on 1/1 at the top of the Masters standings.
- Hans Moke Niemann beat Vladimir Fedoseev in 16 moves in a Petroff, while Vincent Keymer defeated Anish Giri after a tactical oversight that cost a piece.
- Arjun Erigaisi scored a convincing 32‑move win over R. Praggnanandhaa, as World Champion D. Gukesh was held to a 78‑move draw by Javokhir Sindarov after pressing for a win.
- Extinction Rebellion dumped 2,025 kg of coal and blocked access outside the venue, delaying the start of play, and commentators noted several uncharacteristic early blunders.
- In the Challengers, Bibisara Assaubayeva upset Andy Woodward and 14‑year‑old Lu Miaoyi beat Max Warmerdam, while 12‑year‑old Faustino Oro began his third GM‑norm bid with a draw; Round 2 starts Sunday at 8 a.m. ET/14:00 CET/6:30 p.m. IST.