Thrilling Showdown at the 2026 Prague Chess Festival: Abdusattorov and Navara Chase Van Foreest’s Lead in Round 5
Masters: Jorden Leads But Abdusattorov, Navara Keep Up Pressure
Prague, Czech Republic — In a thrilling display of strategy and skill, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov triumphed over World Champion GM Gukesh Dommaraju in a rollercoaster match that has further intensified the competition at the 2026 Prague Chess Festival Masters. This victory has propelled Abdusattorov into a tie for second place alongside GM David Navara, who also secured a stunning win against GM Nodirbek Yakubboev.
As the fifth round concluded, all five matches yielded decisive results, showcasing the fierce rivalry among the top players. Abdusattorov’s victory over Gukesh was particularly poignant, echoing their previous encounters, including Gukesh’s blunder during the 2022 World Chess Olympiad that allowed Uzbekistan to claim gold.
In a game marked by high stakes and intense pressure, Gukesh initially seized the advantage with a clever opening strategy. However, as time dwindled, he faltered, allowing Abdusattorov to capitalize and ultimately push his g-pawn to victory. Gukesh’s misstep on move 67 led to his resignation just two moves later, leaving him in a precarious position in the tournament standings.
Meanwhile, Jorden van Foreest continued his impressive run, defeating GM Hans Niemann and maintaining his lead in the tournament. Van Foreest, who has gained over 40 rating points this year, expressed his surprise at his consistent success, stating, “I’ve been somehow winning a lot of games, and every time it’s an even bigger surprise.”
Navara’s victory against Yakubboev was a highlight of the day, showcasing his tactical prowess and earning him admiration from fans and opponents alike. The Czech champion’s elegant play culminated in a checkmate that left Yakubboev graciously acknowledging the quality of the game.
Other notable results included GM Parham Maghsoodloo’s win over GM Vincent Keymer and GM David Anton’s victory against GM Aravindh Chithambaram, both of which further solidified their standings in the tournament.
As the players take a well-deserved rest day, the anticipation builds for round six, set to begin on Tuesday, March 3, at 9 a.m. ET. Key matchups include Van Foreest facing Navara and the all-Uzbek clash between Yakubboev and Abdusattorov, promising more excitement in this already thrilling tournament.
Round 6 Pairings: Masters
- Jorden van Foreest vs. David Navara
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov vs. Nodirbek Yakubboev
The 2026 Prague Chess Festival, running from February 25 to March 6, features a round-robin format with ten players in the Masters, Challengers, and Futures groups, alongside an Open tournament. With just four rounds remaining, the competition is heating up, and chess enthusiasts worldwide are eager to see who will emerge victorious.