Aravindh Chithambaram Triumphs Over D Gukesh in Prague International Chess Festival Round 6, Gukesh’s Struggles Continue
Aravindh Chithambaram Upsets D Gukesh at Prague International Chess Festival
Prague, Czech Republic – In a stunning turn of events at the Prague International Chess Festival, defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram triumphed over fellow Indian and current FIDE world champion D Gukesh in the sixth round of the Masters section. This victory not only showcased Aravindh’s tactical prowess but also marked a significant setback for Gukesh, who now finds himself at the bottom of the standings.
Aravindh employed a strong tactical idea, opting for the Sicilian Defence after previously experimenting with the Philidor Defence in earlier rounds. Gukesh, known for his aggressive play, sacrificed a pawn early in the game to create attacking opportunities. However, as the match progressed, Aravindh appeared content with a draw. The turning point came on move 40, when Gukesh made a critical error with little time left on the clock. Aravindh seized the opportunity, quickly converting his advantage into a decisive victory.
This loss has been particularly hard on Gukesh, who has struggled for form since winning the world title in December 2024. His live world ranking has plummeted to No. 20, and he has lost over 50 rating points this year. His only notable performance came at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in January 2025, where he tied for first but ultimately fell short in the tiebreak against R Praggnanandhaa.
In contrast, Aravindh’s victory propelled him to a total of 2.5 points in the tournament, making him one of the key players to watch as the competition progresses. Remarkably, this was the only game in the round that produced a winner, with the other four matches ending in draws.
Jorden van Foreest continues to lead the tournament with 4.5 points after a hard-fought draw against local star David Navara, who is now tied for second place with Nodirbek Abdusattorov, just half a point behind. Spain’s David Anton Guijarro holds 3.5 points after drawing with Parham Maghsoodloo, while Aravindh, Vincent Keymer, and Nodirbek Yakubboev follow closely in the standings.
As the tournament unfolds, the pressure mounts with three rounds remaining. Van Foreest, in particular, has been in exceptional form, but his latest draw against Navara showcased the resilience of his opponents. Both Navara and Abdusattorov remain in contention, eager to capitalize on any slip-ups.
In other matches, world women’s cup winner Divya Deshmukh played to a draw against Thomas Beerdsen of Holland, while Surya Shekhar Ganguly split points with Daniil Yuffa of Spain.
As the chess world watches closely, the Prague International Chess Festival promises to deliver more thrilling encounters in the days to come.