8th Prague Masters 2026 R1: Hans Niemann plays an exciting draw against World Champion Gukesh

By admin February 26, 2026 Updated: May 11, 2026 0 comments

The eighth edition of Prague International Chess Festival 2026 is off to an exciting start. Hans Niemann (USA) played courageously against the World Champion, D Gukesh. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) defeated the defending champion, Aravindh Chithambaram

Divya misses big against Benjamin

The first round witnessed four decsisive games in the Masters and three in the Challengers. White won all four in the former and Black won three in the latter.

Gukesh – Hans: 0.5-0.5

This is the first time the World Champion, D Gukesh (2754) faced Hans Niemann (USA, 2725) in a Classical rated game.

Position after 13…Nxd3!

Hans made an interesting sacrifice 13…Nxd3! which is also recommended by the computer. So it is quite possible that it was part of his preparation. 14.cxd3 Qxd3 Black got two pawns for the knight and enough compensation 15.Bg1 Ba6 16.Nc1 White’s pieces are not the most active ones.

Position after 27.Ne5

27…Rxc3 Black temporarily sacrificed his rook as he can get it back in the next few moves. 28.bxc3 Bc8 29.Kg2 Bf6 30.Nc6 Rxe4 31.Bd4 Bxh3+ 32.Kxh3 g4+ 33.Kh2 Bxd4 34.Nxd3 h3 and the game eventually ended in a draw. Quite a first game for Hans against the World Champion, Gukesh.

Hans Niemann (USA) played an exciting game against the World Champion – D Gukesh | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival

Last year’s Challengers event winner, Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) scored a comfortable win over the reigning two-time Spain champion – David Anton Guijarro | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival

Jorden – Keymer

Position after 26…Ng3??

Find out the beautiful winning sequence which Jorden van Foreest (NED, 2705) executed against Vincent Keymer (GER, 2776) after 26…Ng3??

Jorden van Foreest (NED) – Vincent Keymer (GER): 1-0 | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival

Czech legend – David Navara is off to a winning start against Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) started his campaign with a victory against the defending champion, Aravindh Chithambaram | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival

Divya – Benjamin

Position after 32…Nc4??

GM Divya Deshmukh (2497) missed a great opportunity against the highest rated player in the field, Hungary no.3, GM Benjamin Gledura (2652). 33.Nd7 Nxe5 34.Nxe5 Rxe5 35.Rxa7 gives White a substantial advantage according to the computer. White played Nd7 in the game but a move later 33.Qb1 Rxe5 34.Nd7 Re4 35.Nc5 R4e5 36.Nd7 Re4 37.Nc5 and the game ended in a draw via repetition. A missed opportunity for Divya.

GM Divya Deshmukh missed a great opportunity against GM Benjamin Gledura (HUN) | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival

GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly’s adventurous play against GM Thomas Beerdsen (NED) did not work out | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival