Gukesh Aims to Reclaim Form at Prague International Chess Festival

D Gukesh Aims to Reclaim Form at Prague International Chess Festival

Prague, Czechoslovakia — World champion D Gukesh is set to lead India’s charge at the Prague International Chess Festival, commencing Wednesday, as he seeks to bounce back from a recent dip in form. The teenage Grandmaster is eager to turn the page after an early exit from the World Cup and a disappointing performance at the Tata Steel Masters.

Seeded second in a vibrant and youthful Masters field, Gukesh faces stiff competition from top seed Vincent Keymer of Germany and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Both players have been on a roll recently, with Keymer currently ranked fourth in the world, just ahead of Abdusattorov. Gukesh, despite his recent struggles, remains India’s highest-rated player at 10th in the live rankings.

Once home to three players in the world’s top 10, India’s chess landscape has shifted, with Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa experiencing rating slips. This has elevated Gukesh to the forefront, although he has yet to consistently showcase his peak form. His steady performances, however, have kept him ahead of his compatriots.

Joining Gukesh in the Masters section is defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram, who made headlines last year with his breakthrough performance. After a lackluster showing at Wijk aan Zee, Chithambaram, seeded seventh, is determined to reclaim his place in the 2700 rating bracket. Defending his title will be no small feat.

Abdusattorov, fresh off his maiden title at the Tata Steel Masters, is expected to be a crowd favorite, while Keymer’s consistent play makes him a formidable contender. American Grandmaster Hans Niemann also poses a threat, having silenced critics with strong performances in recent tournaments.

The Masters lineup also features Iran’s Parham Maghsoodloo, who is striving for greater recognition, and Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest, known for his reliable play despite fewer appearances in elite events. Rounding out the 10-player field are Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev, Spain’s David Anton Guijarro, and Czech stalwart David Navara, who will enjoy local support throughout the nine-round competition.

In the Challengers section, experienced GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly will lead the Indian contingent alongside Women’s World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh. Hungary’s Benjamin Gledura heads the field as the top seed, with Denmark’s Jonas Buhl Bjerre close behind, promising an exciting and competitive atmosphere.

As the chess community turns its eyes to Prague, all eyes will be on Gukesh as he aims to reclaim his form and assert his dominance on the international stage.