Sasikiran Krishnan sensational Karel Janeček Open 2026 with 2688 performance

By admin March 8, 2026 Updated: May 13, 2026 0 comments

GM Sasikiran Krishnan defeated IM Samir Sahidi (SVK) to win Karel Janeček Open at Prague International Chess Festival 2026. The Indian legend scored an unbeaten 8/9 and finished a half point ahead of the rest. IM Christian Gloeckler (GER) and FM Vladimir-Alexandru Cnejev (ROU) scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The top three prizes were CZK 30000, 20000 and 15000 each respectively. IM Mayank Chakraborty is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 7/9 to finish sixth.

Sasikiran qualifies to the Challengers next year, Mayank claims sixth place

Sasikiran Krishnan’s peak rating was 2720 (May 2012) and his peak ranking was World no.21 (April 2006). His rating might have dipped, his class is still 2700+. That became evident in his stellar performance to win this event. Winning this event has earned him a place in the Challengers section next year, five years after he made his debut in the same section in June 2022.

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.

Champion – GM Sasikiran Krishnan 8/9 | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival

Interview with Sasikiran Krishnan | Video: Prague International Chess Festival

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd IM Christian Gloeckler (GER) 7.5/9, 1st GM Sasikiran Krishnan 8/9, 3rd FM Vladimir-Alexandru Cnejev (ROU) 7.5/9 and 6th IM Mayank Chakraborty (between Gloeckler and Sasikiran) 7/9 | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival

Sahidi – Sasikiran

Position after 31.g3??

In a difficult position, IM Samir Sahidi (SVK, 2517) blundered 31.g3?? His opponent, the legend, GM Sasikiran Krishnan (2538) had no trouble finding the winning continuation 31…d3-+ 32.Qb3 Ne2+ 33.Kg2 Bc3 34.Rxe7 Rxe7 35.Rf1 Qxf3+ 36.Kxf3 Nd4+ 37.Kf4?? Bd2+ and White resigned as checkmate is inevitable in the next two moves.

CM Sarbartho Mani scored 5.5/9 and won the Grand Prix Don Giovanni 2026 scoring 897 points | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague International Chess Festival

Sarbartho winning Grand Prix Don Giovanni 2026 will be mentioned in detail in a separate report.