Gukesh Triumphs at Prague Chess Festival, Ending Losing Streak; Aravindh Secures Joint Second Place
Gukesh Ends Losing Streak at Prague Chess Festival; Abdusattorov Claims Title
Prague, March 6, 2026 — In a thrilling conclusion to the Prague International Chess Festival, World Champion D Gukesh triumphed over Spain’s David Anton Guijarro in the final round, marking a much-needed victory after a challenging tournament. Gukesh’s win not only ended his winless streak but also showcased his remarkable skill in a game that saw him outmaneuver Guijarro, who suffered his third consecutive loss.
Gukesh, who had faced a series of draws and three losses earlier in the tournament, displayed a masterclass in strategy and creativity, overpowering Guijarro in the endgame. His performance was a welcome return to form, as he finished the tournament with a total of 3.5 points.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov clinched the tournament title after securing a comfortable draw against the United States’ Hans Moke Niemann. Remaining unbeaten throughout the event, Abdusattorov’s record included three victories and six draws, solidifying his status as a formidable player after his recent win at the Tata Steel Masters.
Aravindh Chithambaram also made headlines by defeating Czech Republic’s David Navara, finishing joint second alongside Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran and Jorden van Foreest of Holland, all scoring five points. Chithambaram’s late surge in the tournament was marked by his signature complex play, creating threats on both sides of the board against Navara.
After leading the tournament for the first seven rounds, Van Foreest stumbled, suffering back-to-back losses, while Gukesh and Guijarro found themselves tied for ninth in the ten-player round-robin format.
In the Challengers’ section, Indian player Divya Deshmukh made a strong statement by defeating Hrbek Stepan of the Czech Republic, securing a commendable third place. This performance is expected to send ripples through the upcoming Women’s Candidates’ Tournament in Cyprus later this month.
Grandmaster Surya Shekhar Ganguly also ended on a high note, defeating higher-rated Benjamin Gledura of Hungary in his final game. Sixteen-year-old Finek Vanclav from the Czech Republic emerged victorious in the Challengers’ section, finishing with an impressive 6.5 points, half a point ahead of Spain’s Daniel Yuffa.
As the chess world reflects on the Prague Chess Festival, Gukesh’s resurgence and Abdusattorov’s triumph are sure to be key talking points in the months to come.