Round 2 Recap: Upsets and Comebacks at the 2026 Prague Chess Festival Masters
Defending Champion Aravindh Chithambaram Survives Close Call in Round Two of 2026 Prague Chess Festival
Prague, Czech Republic — In a thrilling display of resilience, defending champion GM Aravindh Chithambaram clawed his way back from the brink of defeat in round two of the 2026 Prague Chess Festival Masters on February 26. Facing off against GM Hans Niemann, Chithambaram found himself in a precarious position but ultimately triumphed, securing his first victory of the tournament.
Chithambaram, who had lost his opening match, faced a daunting challenge with two consecutive games as Black. However, he managed to turn the tide against Niemann, who faltered under time pressure. “It feels great—after I lost the first round, to come back in the second round means a lot to me,” Chithambaram remarked after the match. His victory not only brought him back to a 50% score but also showcased his ability to navigate complex positions under pressure.
In another surprising twist, GM Jorden van Foreest was poised to ascend to world number 15 but fell victim to GM David Anton. Van Foreest, who had been riding a wave of momentum with over 30 rating points gained this year, found himself outplayed after a critical misstep. Anton, reflecting on the match, stated, “I think at some point I must be worse… but somehow everything worked out at the end.”
The day was marked by solid draws in several matches, including those between GM Parham Maghsoodloo and GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, GM Vincent Keymer and GM David Navara, as well as GM Gukesh Dommaraju and GM Nodirbek Yakubboev.
As the tournament progresses, the three leaders—Abdusattorov, Yakubboev, and Navara—maintained their positions with draws, while the competition heats up for the remaining players. Round three is set to commence on Friday, February 27, at 9 a.m. ET / 15:00 CET / 7:30 p.m. IST, promising more excitement as the world’s top chess talents vie for supremacy in the picturesque city of Prague.
Stay tuned for more updates as the 2026 Prague Chess Festival unfolds, showcasing the best in chess talent and strategy.