Exciting Final Round Looms at 2025 Prague Chess Festival Masters

Aravindh Chithambaram Leads Going into Final Round of 2025 Prague Chess Festival Masters

In a thrilling turn of events at the 2025 Prague Chess Festival Masters, GM Aravindh Chithambaram has taken the lead by a half-point going into the final round. Despite a minor chance to extend his lead after GM David Navara made an early mistake, the players settled for a quick draw. GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu is hot on Aravindh’s heels, trailing by just half a point and is the only player who can catch him on the last day of the tournament.

The tournament saw two decisive games in the eighth round. GM Anish Giri secured a win against GM Sam Shankland, bouncing back to a 50 percent score. Meanwhile, GM Wei Yi emerged victorious in a long endgame against GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen, who put up a tenacious defense for about six hours.

The final round, scheduled to begin four hours earlier on Friday, March 7, promises an intense showdown as Aravindh and Praggnanandhaa battle it out for the top spot. If Aravindh loses and Praggnanandhaa draws, and if Wei Yi secures another win, a three-player blitz playoff could be on the cards.

In post-game analysis, it was revealed that Aravindh missed a critical opportunity in his draw against Navara. Despite the missed chance, Aravindh remains in a strong position to clinch the tournament with a solid performance in the final round.

Giri, who credited his win to his opponent’s risky play, expressed his belief that luck plays a significant role in top-level chess. Wei Yi, after holding two losing positions in previous rounds, managed to secure a crucial win in the eighth round, keeping his hopes alive in the tournament.

The stage is set for an exciting final round, with all three contenders facing tough opponents. As the tension mounts, chess enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of the 2025 Prague Chess Festival Masters. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of this prestigious event.