Nodirbek Abdusattorov wins Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2026

Wijk aan Zee, 1 February 2026 – Nodirbek Abdusattorov from Uzbekistan has won the 88th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. The prestigious event, often referred to as the Wimbledon of chess, was held from 16 January to 1 February in Wijk aan Zee. The tournament has a long tradition and has been bringing the world’s best chess players to the Dutch coastal village for decades.

Thrilling finale

The battle for the title remained exciting until the very last moment during the final weekend; no fewer than five grandmasters were still in contention for first place. In the end, the 21-year-old Uzbek grandmaster claimed the tournament victory.

Tournament director Jeroen van den Berg responded enthusiastically:
“What an outstanding achievement by Nodirbek Abdusattorov. It is more than deserved that Nodirbek wins here; he has played at a high and consistent level throughout the entire tournament. In recent years he came very close, and now he finally claims the title. I warmly congratulate him and, of course, invite him to return to Wijk aan Zee next year to defend his title.”

Global attention and record numbers

This year, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament once again reached a global audience. The grandmasters’ games were streamed daily between 500,000 and 800,000 times, with peaks of up to 1 million viewers per day. Fans from all over the world followed the moves live, including through crystal-clear broadcasts from Dorpshuis De Moriaan and café De Zon, where well-known commentators provided live analysis.

New this year was a rapid chess tournament at Hotel Hoge Duin in Wijk aan Zee, adding even more variety for players and visitors. Van den Berg:
“We can look back on a fantastic edition with a large number of visitors, many participating amateur players, and an unprecedented international reach. The tournament is more alive than ever.”

The 89th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament will take place from 15 to 31 January 2027 in Wijk aan Zee. It promises once again to be a top-class event in which world champions, rising talents, and amateur players compete side by side.

About the Tata Steel Chess Tournament

The Tata Steel Chess Tournament has a long tradition. The first tournament was held 87 years ago as an employees’ tournament on the grounds of Koninklijke Hoogovens in Wijk aan Zee. It later evolved from a regional event into a national tournament, and eventually grew into an international tournament of world stature, for which both grandmasters and amateurs clear their schedules.

Tata Steel has chosen chess because it involves strategic thinking and focuses on finding creative solutions to complex challenges. Tata Steel shares this same focus. Steelmaking is a high-tech process in which innovation plays a crucial role. Tata Steel employees work continuously and tirelessly to find smart solutions to improve processes and products. This enables Tata Steel to deliver top-quality products to its customers, helping them stand out in their markets. At the same time, through product and process innovations, Tata Steel contributes to the creation of a sustainable society.