Prague Chess Festival: Aravindh Wins, Gukesh and Divya Draw

The 2026 Prague International Chess Festival produced electrifying moments in its second round today, with some standout performances shaking up the leaderboard.

In the Masters section , defending champion GM Aravindh Chithambaram showcased his tactical brilliance, defeating American Grandmaster Hans Moke Niemann with the black pieces. Aravindh capitalised on key errors and time pressure, securing a decisive win that marked his first triumph in this edition of the festival.

World Champion GM D Gukesh Dommaraju drew against Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan. The two battled in a Queen’s Gambit Declined, carefully maneuvering through complex middlegame positions but ultimately ending in a balanced result.

In the Challengers section , GM Divya Deshmukh and veteran Surya Sekhar Ganguly both maintained steady starts, recording draws in their second-round games. These results keep them in contention as the competition intensifies.

Today’s matches highlighted the high-calibre talent at the festival, with tight encounters, tactical surprises, and strategic play dominating the board. Fans and analysts alike were treated to a display of classical chess at its finest, with the tournament’s atmosphere charged with anticipation and excitement.