Pentala Harikrishna clinches Czech Extraliga 2025-26 for Novy Bor Chess Club

By admin March 31, 2026 Updated: May 13, 2026 0 comments

Novy Bor Chess Club won Czech Extraliga 2025-26 for the 15th time. They defeated Výstaviště Lysá nad Labem 4.5-3.5 in the final round to win the league scoring 30/33. Výstaviště Lysá nad Labem secured second place 25/33. Moravská Slavia Brno A was third 23/33. Pentala Harikrishna was the sole Indian in the winning team. The ultimate team player contributed a valuable 3.5/7, including his lone win of the season against Jakub Seemann in the ninth round.

Novy Bor’s 15th triumph of the event

Team captain of Nový Bor Chess Club, Petr Boleslav shared: “One of the toughest seasons overall, without a doubt. In the majority of matches, we were missing a key player, which made more dramatic games than we are used to. But we delivered true team performances, and there was always someone who stepped up and held the team together in the crucial moments. We played the final weekend flawlessly and once again proved that we can perform at our best when it matters most. I think we fully deserve to celebrate this title, all the more so because it is already our fifteenth.

Champion – Novy Bor Chess Club 31/33 | Photo: Šachový svaz České republiky (Czech Republic Chess Federation)

L to R: GM David Navara, GM Markus Ragger, Roman Muzik, IM Tadeas Kriebel and Petr Boleslav | Photo: Petr Boleslav / Novy Bor Chess Club

Novy Bor Chess Club teams’ individual performance

Team Novy Bor Chess Club | Photo: Novy Bor Chess Club

Seemann – Harikrishna, Round 9

Position after 34.Ra6+??

GM Jakub Seemann (OAZA loznice.cz, 2532) blundered 34.Ra6+?? in a difficult rook and same color bishop endgame. GM Pentala Harikrishna (2676) had no trouble seizing his opportunity 34…Kf5-+ 35.Kf1 e3 36.gxf4 exf2 37.Kxf2 Bxf4 and Black went on to use his g and h-passed pawns to win the game.