Aravindh Chithambaram Triumphs Over D Gukesh in Prague International Chess Festival
Defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram showcases tactical brilliance to defeat fellow Indian and current FIDE world champion D Gukesh in a decisive sixth round match.
Aravindh Chithambaram Triumphs Over D. Gukesh at Prague International Chess Festival
Prague, Czech Republic — In a stunning display of tactical prowess, defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram defeated fellow Indian grandmaster D. Gukesh in the sixth round of the Masters section at the Prague International Chess Festival. This victory not only marked a significant milestone for Chithambaram but also sent shockwaves through the chess community, as Gukesh, the reigning FIDE world champion, found himself at the bottom of the standings following the match.
Chithambaram, who has been steadily climbing the ranks, showcased his strategic acumen by employing the Sicilian Defence, a departure from his earlier choice of the Philidor Defence in the tournament. Gukesh, eager to create attacking chances, sacrificed a pawn early on. However, the tide turned dramatically when Gukesh, under time pressure, made a critical error on move 40. Seizing the opportunity, Chithambaram quickly converted his advantage, sealing the game just a few moves later.
This match was particularly significant as it was the only game in the round to produce a winner, with all other matches ending in draws. Chithambaram’s victory propelled him to a total of 2.5 points, while Gukesh’s loss dropped him to last place with just 1.5 points, marking a troubling decline since his world title win in December 2024. Gukesh’s live world ranking has also slipped to No. 20, reflecting a challenging year that has seen him lose over 50 rating points.
In the broader context of the tournament, Jorden van Foreest remains the sole leader with 4.5 points after a hard-fought draw against local star David Navara. Navara is now tied for second place with Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who is just half a point behind the leader. Spain’s David Anton Guijarro also remains in contention with 3.5 points after drawing with Parham Maghsoodloo.
As the tournament progresses, the chess world will be watching closely to see if Chithambaram can maintain his momentum and if Gukesh can rebound from this setback. With three rounds still to come, the competition remains fierce, and the stakes have never been higher.
Results from Round 6 of the Masters Section:
- D. Gukesh (Ind, 1.5) lost to Aravindh Chithambaram (Ind, 2.5)
- David Anton Guijarro (Esp, 3.5) drew with Parham Maghsoodloo (Iri, 3)
- Hans Moke Niemann (USA, 2) drew with Vincent Keymer (Ger, 2.5)
- Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzb, 2.5) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 4)
- Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 4.5) drew with David Navara (Cze, 4)
As the chess community eagerly anticipates the next rounds, one thing is clear: the Prague International Chess Festival is proving to be a battleground of epic proportions.