Aravindh and Maghsoodloo Shine at Prague Chess Festival, Share Second Place with Van Foreest
Aravindh and Maghsoodloo Score Big, Share Second Place at Prague Chess Festival
The Masters section of the Prague Chess Festival wrapped up with a thrilling conclusion, as Nodirbek Abdusattorov emerged victorious after drawing his final-round match against Hans Niemann. This result not only secured the Uzbek grandmaster his second title at the Prague Masters but also marked a historic achievement, making him the first player to win the event twice since its inception eight years ago.
Entering the final round with a half-point lead over Jorden van Foreest and a full-point advantage over David Navara, Abdusattorov’s draw was enough to clinch the title, finishing the tournament undefeated with three wins and six draws. His final score of 6 points from 9 games solidified his status as a formidable player in the chess world.
The final round saw significant shifts in the standings behind Abdusattorov. Both Van Foreest and Navara faced defeats, allowing Parham Maghsoodloo and Aravindh Chithambaram to catch up and share second place. Maghsoodloo triumphed over Van Foreest, while Aravindh secured victory against Navara, leaving all three players with a score of 5/9, just one point shy of the champion.
Abdusattorov’s victory in Prague adds to an impressive string of results this year, including a win at the Tata Steel Masters and the London Chess Classic, both of which he completed undefeated. Despite his recent successes, he will not participate in the upcoming Candidates Tournament, leaving him as one of the strongest players outside the elite eight-player field.
His performance in Prague earned him a TPR of 2831 and a rating gain of 9.3 points, elevating him to fourth place on the live rating list with an Elo of 2780.3, just shy of his peak rating of 2783.
Among the players sharing second place, Van Foreest’s disappointment was palpable. After leading the tournament for much of the early rounds, his losses in the final matches prevented him from maintaining his position. Nevertheless, he remains a strong contender, currently ranked 14th in the world.
Maghsoodloo’s journey through the tournament was steady, recovering from an initial loss to secure two wins and six draws. In contrast, Aravindh’s path was more tumultuous; after a rocky start with three losses in his first five games, he rallied to win three of his last four matches, showcasing resilience and skill.
The tournament also saw struggles for top seed Vincent Keymer and reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju. Keymer finished with 4/9 points, while Gukesh, despite a last-round victory against David Anton, ended with 3½/9 points, both losing significant rating points.
As the dust settles on the Prague Chess Festival, Abdusattorov’s remarkable performance sets the stage for an exciting chess season ahead, while Maghsoodloo and Aravindh’s strong finishes signal their rising status in the chess world.