Prague Chess Festival: Gukesh and Aravindh Settle for Draws in Round 7
Gukesh’s Struggles Continue at Prague Chess Festival: Draws Dominate Round 7
Prague, March 5, 2026 — The Prague International Chess Festival witnessed a series of draws in Round 7, leaving fans and players alike eager for more action. Incumbent World Champion D. Gukesh faced off against Parham Maghsoodloo, but the match ended in a stalemate, marking another challenging day for the young Indian prodigy. Similarly, Aravindh Chidambaram settled for a draw against Nordibek Yakuboev, adding to the day’s lack of decisive outcomes.
In a tournament where every point counts, Gukesh’s performance has been under scrutiny. Currently sitting at the bottom of the Masters section with just 2 points, he will need to regroup quickly to salvage his standing in the competition. Meanwhile, Chidambaram, with 3 points, finds himself in a precarious position, ranked seventh.
The day was not without its highlights, as Czech player David Navarra and American Hans Niemann also shared the spoils in their respective matches. The only victory in the Masters category came from German Vincet Keymer, who triumphed over Spain’s David Anton Guijaro, showcasing his tactical prowess.
As the tournament progresses, Jorden Van Foreest leads the Masters section with 5 points, followed closely by Navarra and Nordibek Abdusattorov, both at 4.5 points. The competition remains fierce, with Maghsoodloo, Keymer, and Guijaro all tied at 3.5 points.
In the Challengers category, Indian player Divya Deshmukh drew with Denmark’s Jonas Buhl Bejjerie, while compatriot Suriya Shekhar Ganguly secured a win against China’s Jiner Zhu. The standout performer in this section is Vaclav Finek, who leads with 5 points, followed by Daniel Yuffa and Jachym Nemec, both at 4 points.
As the festival continues, chess enthusiasts are left wondering if Gukesh can turn his fortunes around and if Chidambaram can climb the ranks. With several rounds still to play, the excitement is palpable, and every match could change the landscape of the tournament.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Prague International Chess Festival as the world’s best chess minds battle it out on the board.