Exciting Start to the 2026 Prague Chess Festival: Abdusattorov Upsets Defending Champion Chithambaram in Round One
Nodirbek Abdusattorov Shocks Defending Champion in Thrilling Start to 2026 Prague Chess Festival
Prague, Czech Republic — In a stunning opening round at the 2026 Prague Chess Festival Masters, Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov delivered a decisive blow to defending champion GM Aravindh Chithambaram, marking a significant shift in the chess world rankings. Abdusattorov’s victory not only propelled him past GM Vincent Keymer, ousting him from the world number-four spot, but also set the tone for an electrifying tournament.
The festival, now in its seventh edition, kicked off at the Don Giovanni Hotel, showcasing some of the globe’s top chess talents. Abdusattorov, fresh off his triumph at the Tata Steel Masters earlier this year, demonstrated his prowess against Chithambaram, who had previously enjoyed a stellar run. Meanwhile, Keymer faced another setback, falling to GM Jorden van Foreest for the second consecutive event.
In other notable matches, GM David Navara overcame GM Parham Maghsoodloo, while GM Nodirbek Yakubboev secured a win against GM David Anton. The highlight of the day was a dramatic clash between GM Hans Niemann and World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, which ended in a hard-fought draw after Niemann’s ambitious knight sacrifice was thwarted by Gukesh’s resilient defense.
The tournament’s second round is set to commence on Thursday, February 26, at 9 a.m. ET / 15:00 CET / 7:30 p.m. IST, promising more thrilling encounters as players vie for supremacy.
A Festival of Champions
The Prague Chess Festival has become a staple in the chess calendar since its inception in 2019, featuring not only a Masters category but also Challengers, Futures, and Open tournaments. This year, the lineup has seen a shift, with only three players—Chithambaram, Keymer, and Navara—returning from the previous year.
Keymer, the top seed, faced fierce competition from Abdusattorov, who previously triumphed in Prague in 2024. The festival is particularly historic, as it marks the first time a reigning world champion has competed in classical chess in the Czech Republic since Alexander Alekhine in 1931.
In a pre-tournament interview, Gukesh expressed his ambition to be the best player in the world, emphasizing the competitive spirit of his generation. “All these players are much more ambitious and fighting than maybe players from other generations,” he noted.
Round 1 Highlights
The opening round was marked by decisive victories, with only the Gukesh-Niemann match ending in a draw. The results were as follows:
- Abdusattorov 1-0 Chithambaram
- Van Foreest 1-0 Keymer
- Navara 1-0 Maghsoodloo
- Yakubboev 1-0 Anton
- Gukesh ½-½ Niemann
Abdusattorov’s victory over Chithambaram was particularly significant, as it showcased his ability to capitalize on his opponent’s mistakes. After a strong start, Chithambaram faltered, allowing Abdusattorov to seize control and secure the win.
Van Foreest’s triumph over Keymer was another highlight, as the Dutch GM continued his impressive form, having recently gained significant rating points. Keymer’s struggles in high-stakes tournaments have raised questions about his ability to maintain his ranking.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the next round, where players will look to build on their initial successes or recover from early setbacks. With eight rounds remaining, the competition is far from over, and the stakes are higher than ever.
The 2026 Prague Chess Festival runs from February 25 to March 6, featuring a round-robin format with ten players in the Masters, Challengers, and Futures categories, alongside an Open tournament. With the excitement of the first round still fresh, chess enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating what the next days will bring.