When the Center Explodes and Endgame Technique Decides

This remarkable game from Tata Steel 2026 is a powerful lesson in courage, calculation, and endgame skill. World-class favorite Arjun Erigaisi builds a complex position and fights hard for initiative, but young Yağız Kaan Erdogmus plays fearlessly, accepts the challenge, and gradually turns the tables. The game teaches beginners an important truth: early activity and central control matter, but games are often decided much later by accuracy and patience.

Opening: A Bold Central Strike

The game starts with 1.e4 c5, leading to a complex reversed Sicilian structure. White follows up with 2.g3 and 3.Bg2, aiming for long-term pressure on the center and queenside.

Black responds energetically. After 3…c6, Black prepares a strong pawn center. With 4.Nf3 e4, Black immediately pushes forward, gaining space and forcing White to react. This is an ambitious decision that sets the tone for the entire game.

White retreats with 5.Nd4, keeping the knight active. Black continues correctly with 5…d5, building a strong pawn duo in the center. White challenges it with 6.d3, but Black increases pressure with 6…Qb6, attacking multiple points and forcing White to be precise.

After 7.Nb3, Black launches an aggressive idea with 7…Ng4 (targeting f2). This is an important attacking theme: developed pieces can create threats even before castling.

White castles with 8.O-O, but Black pushes further with 8…e3, locking the center and opening lines for the pieces. White defends with 9.f3, but now Black jumps in with 9…Nf2, a knight deep in enemy territory.

Tactical Chaos in the Middlegame

White tries to stabilize with 10.Qc2, but Black continues boldly with 10…Nh3+. After 11.Bxh3 Bxh3, material is balanced, but the position is sharp and unbalanced.

White plays 12.Rd1, preparing central play, but Black strikes with 12…d4, gaining space and opening lines. White answers with 13.c5, trying to lock the queenside and reduce Black’s activity.

Black calmly retreats the queen with 13…Qd8, showing good discipline. After 14.Qc4 Na6, Black prepares piece coordination instead of rushing the attack.

With 15.Qxd4 Qxd4 16.Nxd4, the queens come off the board. This is a critical moment. Many beginners think trading queens always makes things safer, but here it leads to a difficult endgame where piece activity matters more than king safety.

Black immediately uses the open position with 16…Bxc5, developing with tempo. White replies 17.Bxe3, regaining material, but now Black castles long with 17…O-O-O, bringing the king to safety and activating the rook.

The Turning Point: Active Rooks Win Games

White tries to regroup with 18.Nc2, but Black seizes the initiative with 18…Rhe8, placing rooks on open files. White’s king steps up with 19.Kf2, but this allows Black to jump in with 19…Nb4, attacking key squares.

After 20.Nba3, Black sacrifices exchange activity with 20…Rxe3. This is a key moment. Black gives material temporarily to destroy White’s coordination. White captures with 21.Nxe3, but Black calmly plays 21…Be6, improving piece activity.

White pushes 22.d4, hoping to free the position, but Black responds sharply with 22…Rxd4. Suddenly, Black’s rooks dominate the board. After 23.Ke1 Rxd1+ 24.Nxd1, Black wins material and reaches a favorable endgame.

The move 24…Nxa2 is important. Black grabs a pawn and fixes White’s queenside weaknesses.

White tries to run with 25.Kd2, but Black calmly expands with 25…b5 and 26…a5, creating a dangerous passed pawn.

Endgame Mastery

After 27.Nc3 Nxc3 28.bxc3, the pawn structure becomes unbalanced. Black immediately pushes 28…a4, creating a long-term passer. This is a textbook endgame plan.

White tries counterplay with 29.e4 and 30.f4, activating pawns and pieces. Black responds solidly with 29…Kc7 and 30…g6, improving king safety and preparing the bishops.

The bishop move 31…Bc4 is very instructive. Black places the bishop on a strong diagonal, controlling key squares. White pushes 32.e5, but Black calmly retreats with 32…Be7, staying flexible.

White advances with 33.g4, but Black answers with 33…c5, fixing the center. Step by step, Black improves the position while White struggles to create threats.

After 35…Bb3, Black ties down White’s pieces. The move 36…Bg5 and 37…Bf4 show excellent bishop coordination, restricting the king and pawns.

The Final Breakthrough

White tries a last push with 39.h4, but Black captures with 39…Bxe3, simplifying into a winning ending. After 40.Kxe3 gxh4, Black’s passed pawns become decisive.

White fights on with 41.Kd2 Bd5, bringing the bishop to a perfect defensive square. White tries to complicate things with 45.e6+ Ke8 46.exf7+ Kxf7, but Black’s king remains safe.

After 50.Re6 b2+ 51.Kc2 h3, the pawns are unstoppable. White tries 52.Kd3, but there is no hope left. Black forces promotion or checkmate.

Final Position – After 52.Kd3

Black’s connected passed pawns on the queenside, supported by the h-pawn diversion, secure the victory.