Prague Chess Festival: Aravindh Chithambaram beats world champion Gukesh

Defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram discovered a textbook-style tactic to outwit compatriot D. Gukesh, relegating the reigning FIDE World Champion to the final spot after the top of sixth spherical of Masters part of Prague Worldwide Chess Pageant.

The victory for Aravindh meant that Gukesh is now ranked quantity 20 on the reside score listing that didn’t characteristic Viswanathan Anand because of his probably inactive standing. There was a transparent battle for Gukesh to take care of his standing because the world champion since he received the title in December 2024.

Presumably the one exception was the Tata Metal Masters in January 2025 when he misplaced the tiebreaker to R. Praggnanandhaa after tying for first place. A latest slum has now seen the world champion dropping over fifty factors in score.

For the document Aravindh lastly modified to a Sicilian protection as black after his Philidor experiment failed miserably. Going for the problems for Gukesh was simple as he sacrificed a pawn to search out some techniques within the early phases of the center recreation.

Aravindh would have been pleased with a draw the way in which the place unfolded with white having a rook in opposition to two knights. However, on the fortieth transfer, with seconds remaining Gukesh made the decisive error. It was throughout eight strikes later.

Surprisingly, this was the one decisive recreation of the day with the remaining 4 ending in attracts.

Jorden van Foreest remained in sole lead on 4.5 factors drawing with native star David Navara who remained joint second with Abdusattorov Nodirbek of Uzbekistan a half level behind.

David Anton Guijarrov on 3.5 is closest to the three above him on 3.5 after settling for peace in opposition to Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran.

Aravindh with Vincent Keymer of Germany and Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan is subsequent within the line up whereas Niemann is simply above Gukesh on 1.5 factors.

Mr. Foreest lastly had a draw after 5 decisive video games and this time too it appeared his additional pawn would do the trick. The Dutchman has been within the type of his life however within the sixth spherical Navara held his nerve to maintain the opposition items and assault at bay.

The consequence was a draw, letting Mr. Foreest preserve the lead, however each Navara and Abdusattorov stay in hunt with three rounds nonetheless to return within the second tremendous event of the 12 months.

Within the masters part, world ladies’s cup winner Divya Deshmukh performed out a draw with Thomas Beerdsen of Holland whereas Surya Shekhar Ganguly break up the purpose with Daniil Yuffa of Spain.

Outcomes spherical 6 Masters: D Gukesh (Ind, 1.5) misplaced to Aravindh Chithambaram (Ind, 2.5); David Anton Guijarro (Esp, 3.5) drew with Parham Maghsoodloo (Iri, 3); Hans Moke Niemann (Usa, 2) drew with Vincent Keymer (Ger, 2.5); Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzb, 2.5) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 4); Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 4.5) drew with David Navara (Cze, 4).

Challengers: Daniil Yuffa (Esp, 3) drew with Surya Shekhar Ganguly (Ind, 1.5); Benjamin Gledura (Hun, 3) beat Nemec Jachym (Cze, 3); Divya Deshmukh (Ind, 3) drew with Thomas Beerdsen (Ned, 3.5); Hrbek Stepan (Cze, 3.5) drew with Jonas Buhl Bjerre (Den, 3); Zhu Jiner (Chn, 2) drew with Finek Vanclav (Cze, 4.5).