Van Foreest’s Stunning Victory: Sacrifices Lead to Triumph Over Gukesh at Prague Chess Festival
GM Jorden van Foreest Shocks World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju at 2026 Prague Chess Festival
Prague, Czech Republic — In a stunning display of tactical brilliance, Grandmaster Jorden van Foreest has made headlines at the 2026 Prague Chess Festival by defeating both the tournament’s top seed and the reigning world champion in just three rounds. Van Foreest’s latest victory came against GM Gukesh Dommaraju, where a daring rook sacrifice proved pivotal in securing his win.
The match, held on February 27, showcased Van Foreest’s strategic prowess as he moved into a four-way tie for first place alongside GMs Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Nodirbek Yakubboev, and David Navara. Meanwhile, Gukesh’s defeat has dropped him into a four-way tie for last place, a surprising turn of events for the young prodigy.
A Game to Remember
After a challenging loss to GM David Anton in round two, Van Foreest rebounded spectacularly. “Of course I’m super-happy! Not only is it my first win against a world champion, but also my first win against Gukesh,” he exclaimed. The Dutchman had faced Gukesh multiple times before, but this victory marked a significant milestone in his career.
The decisive moment came when Van Foreest sacrificed a rook for a knight on d4, a bold move that left Gukesh deep in thought. “He was looking rather calm, and I was like, am I missing something? I didn’t see it, so I thought I had to go for it,” Van Foreest explained. His confidence surged as Gukesh struggled to defend, ultimately leading to a win that not only boosted Van Foreest’s morale but also his ranking.
Round 3 Highlights
The Masters section of the tournament saw only one decisive game, with the remaining matches ending in draws. Van Foreest’s victory over Gukesh was the standout performance, while the other games featured intense battles that ultimately resulted in stalemates. Notably, GM Aravindh Chithambaram and GM Parham Maghsoodloo ended their match in a quiet 30-move draw, while the clash between Navara and GM David Anton also concluded without a victor.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Gukesh as he seeks to rebound from this unexpected setback. The next round begins on Saturday, February 28, at 9 a.m. ET / 15:00 CET / 7:30 p.m. IST, with Gukesh set to face local hero David Navara. Will he bounce back, or will Van Foreest continue his winning streak?
The 2026 Prague Chess Festival, taking place from February 25 to March 6, features a round-robin format with ten players in both the Masters and Challengers sections, promising more thrilling chess action in the days to come.
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates from this exciting tournament!