Nodirbek Abdusattorov clear first at 8th Prague Masters 2026, Aravindh Chithambaram third
Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) drew against Hans Niemann (USA) in the final round to win 8th Prague International Chess Festival 2026 Masters. He finished a full point ahead of the rest. Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI), Aravindh Chithambaram and Jorden van Foreest (NED) scored 5/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks.
Vaclav Finek clinches the Challengers, becomes a Grandmaster, Divya Deshmukh third
Aravindh Chithambaram, World Champion – D Gukesh, Surya Sekhar Ganguly and Divya Deshmukh finished their respective event on a winning note. Nodirbek Abdusattorov became the first player to win Prague International Chess Festival Masters twice. Earlier he won it in 2024.
IM Vaclav Finek (CZE) scored an unbeaten 6.5/9 to win the Challengers event. He also earned his final GM-norm in the process and became the latest Grandmaster of Czech Republic and qualified to the Masters section of next year. IM Jachym Nemec (CZE) lost to GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP) and the latter finished second. FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 winner, GM Divya Deshmukh defeated IM Stepan Hrbek (CZE) to claim third place.
WCM Kaja Rzadkowska (POL) scored 7/9 to win the Futures event. She has qualified to the Open section of the next year’s festival. WCM Cristina Jordan (SUI) scored sole 6.5/9 to secure second place. Zuzana Stara (CZE), Clio Alessi (ITA) and Bao Anh Angelina Nguyen Doan (POL) scored 5/9 each to be placed third, fourth and fifth according to tie-breaks.
Champion – Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) 6/9 | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Interview with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) | Video: Prague International Chess Festival
Top 3 (L to R): 2nd Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) 5/9, 1st Nodibek Abdusattorov (UZB) 6/9 and 3rd Aravindh Chithambaram 5/9 | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Interview with Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) | Video: Prague International Chess Festival
Masters participants with guests | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Interview with D Gukesh | Video: Prague International Chess Festival
Challengers Top 3 (L To R): 2nd GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP) 6/9, 1st IM Vaclav Finek (CZE) 6.5/9 and 3rd GM Divya Deshmukh 5/9 | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Interview with IM Vaclav Finek (CZE) | Video: Prague International Chess Festival
Challengers participants with guests | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Futures Top 3 (L to R): 2nd WCM Christina Jordan (SUI) 6.5/9, 1st WCM Kaja Rzadkowska (POL) 7/9 and 3rd Zuzana Stara (CZE) 5/9 | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Interview with WCM Kaja Rzadkowska (POL)| Video: Prague International Chess Festival
Futures participants with guests | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Best Pair – WCM Kaja Rzadkowska (POL) 7/9 and GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) 5/9, scored a combined total 12/18 | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Aravindh – Navara: 1-0
Aravindh Chithambaram (2700) has played David Navara (CZE, 2628) three times in Classical rated games. All of them ended in draws including their battle at the very same event last year.
Position after 28.Ne4
Aravindh played enterprising chess against the Czech-legend, Navara. 28.Ne4 gxh2+ 29.Kh1 Qf5 30.Rxd6 Nb7 31.Qb3+ Qf7 32.Rg6+ Kh8 33.Qxf7 Rxf7 34.Rxa6 Nd8 35.Rfa1 Rd7 36.Kxh2 Rc7 37.Nd6 Rc6 38.Nf7+ Kg8 39.Nxd8 Rxa6 40.Rxa6 e4 41.Rxa7!? Rxa7 42.dxe4 and White went on to win the knight vs rook endgame utilizing his extra passed pawns on the kingside. The defending champion not only finished the tournament on a winning note but third place is a great finish, considering he was struggling with his form for quite some time.
Laser focused Aravindh scored his fourth win of the event to finish third | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
David Anton – Gukesh: 0-1
David Anton Guijarro (ESP, 2666) and the World Champion, D Gukesh (2754) have played two Classical rated games before this. Gukesh won one and the other game ended in a draw.
Position after 42…g4
43.d5 gxf3 44.dxe6 Rxg2+ 45.Kh1 Kg6 is suggested by the computer. 43.hxg4?? turned things in favor of Black hxg4-+ 44.d5 Rh6 Black’s bishop pair became menacing compared to White’s knights.
World Champion, D Gukesh scored his lone win in the final round to avoid a last place finish | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) won the Game of Round 8 prize, receiving 45% votes | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
GM Divya Deshmukh defeated IM Stepan Hrbek (CZE) in the final round to finish third in Challengers | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival
Replay Round 9 live commentary by GM Alojzije Jankovic (CRO) and WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili (GEO) | Video: Prague International Chess Festival
Prague International Chess Festival is the best chess festival I have ever attended. It has something for everyone – World-Class players, their pursuers, side events, fun events and activities and you can also participate in the Open or spectate everything unfolding in front of your eyes in person at Don Giovanni Hotel. Overall it is a must-attend festival for all. The ninth edition will take place from 23rd February to 5th March 2027.
Replay Round 9 Masters games
Replay Round 9 Challengers games
Round 9 Masters results
Final standings
Round 9 Challengers results
Final standings
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