Gukesh and Aravindh Shine at Prague International Chess Festival: A Day of Draws and Decisive Victories

D. Gukesh Holds Steady in Prague, Aravindh Shines with a Comeback Victory

Prague, February 27, 2026 — The second round of the Masters section at the Prague International Chess Festival saw a mix of resilience and brilliance from India’s chess stars. World Champion D. Gukesh faced a tough challenge against Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev, resulting in a hard-fought draw. Meanwhile, defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram showcased his tactical prowess, pulling off a stunning victory against American player Hans Moke Niemann.

Gukesh, who recently earned the title of the world’s youngest chess champion, entered the match with high expectations. However, Yakubboev, well-prepared with the Queen’s Gambit Declined, managed to keep the game balanced. After a series of trades, the position appeared level, leading Yakubboev to execute a daring rook sacrifice that ultimately forced a repetition of moves, sealing the draw.

In contrast, Aravindh Chithambaram, fresh off a disappointing first-round loss to Nodirbek Abdusattorov, bounced back with a decisive win. Adopting the Philidor Defence, Aravindh faced an aggressive Niemann, who initially seized the initiative. However, time pressure proved detrimental for the American, allowing Aravindh to capitalize on a critical moment. Transitioning into a winning endgame, he secured a much-needed victory, lifting his spirits in the tournament.

In another notable match, Spaniard David Anton Guijarro triumphed over in-form Dutchman Jorden van Foreest, marking the only other decisive game of the day. With seven rounds remaining, Abdusattorov, Yakubboev, and local favorite David Navara currently lead the tournament with 1.5 points each, closely followed by Gukesh, Aravindh, van Foreest, and Guijarro, all at 1 point.

In the challengers section, Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh, the world women’s cup winner, played to a draw against Spain’s Daniil Yuffa, maintaining a fifty percent score after two games. This follows her earlier draw with Hungary’s Benjamin Gledura, keeping her in contention as she aims for a chance to compete in the upcoming women’s candidates tournament.

As the tournament progresses, the chess community eagerly anticipates the next rounds, with Gukesh and Aravindh poised to make their mark in Prague.

Results Round 2:

• D. Gukesh (Ind, 1) drew with Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzb, 1.5)
• Aravindh Chithambaram (Ind, 1) defeated Hans Moke Niemann (USA, 0.5)
• David Anton Guijarro (Esp, 1) beat Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 1)
• Parham Maghsoodloo (Iri, 0.5) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 1.5)
• Vincent Keymer (Ger, 0.5) drew with David Navara (Cze, 1.5)

Challengers:

• Gledura Benjamin (Hun, 0.5) lost to Thomas Beerdsen (Ned, 2)
• Jonas Buhl Bjerre (Den, 1) drew with Surya Shekhar Ganguly (Ind, 0.5)
• Jachym Nemec (Cze, 0.5) lost to Finek Vanclav (Cze, 1.5)
• Stpen Hrbek (Cze, 2) beat Jiner Zhu (Chn, 0)
• Divya Deshmukh (Ind, 1) drew with Daniil Yuffa (Esp, 0.5)

As the chess pieces continue to move, the excitement in Prague is palpable, with fans and players alike eager to see how the tournament unfolds.