Prague International Chess Festival: All You Need To Know As Gukesh Headlines Masters, Divya Carries Challengers Hope

Last Updated:February 24, 2026, 13:02 IST

Gukesh and Aravindh Chithambaram will headline the Indian challenge in Czech Republic while Divya and Surya Ganguly. will contest in the Challengers section.

Incumbent World Champion D Gukesh will look to get his hands on silverware when he begins the Prague International Chess Festival on Wednesday, despite having to endure a challenging year last time around.

Gukesh will be accompanied by compatriot and defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram will headline the Indian challenge in Czech Republic in the Masters section, while Women’s World Cup-winner Divya Deshmukh will spearhead the Challengers section, which also features  Surya Shekhar Ganguly.

Gukesh faces a tough task against the likes of top-seeded German Vincent Keymer and Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattorov, both currently outperforming him in recent events.

Keymer, ranked fourth globally in live ratings, is just ahead of Abdusattorov, while Gukesh, ranked 10th, is the highest-rated Indian player.

Not long ago, there were three Indians in the top-10, but with Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa recently dropping down, Gukesh has emerged as the new India number one in live rankings due to his consistent, if not stellar, performances.

Joining Gukesh as a fellow Indian competitor is defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram, who gained his first significant breakthrough at this event. Abdusattorov, fresh from his maiden triumph at the Tata Steel Masters, is the favourite to secure another title, while Keymer is expected to provide a strong challenge.

Hans Niemann of the USA is another formidable contender, having repeatedly proven his critics wrong. Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran is also in the fray, aiming to make a mark in top-level chess, while Dutch Grandmaster Jorden van Foreest is known for his consistent performances, despite fewer appearances in strong tournaments.

Seeded seventh, Chithambaram aims to re-enter the 2700 rating club after a sub-par performance at the Tata event, but he faces a challenging task here. The 10-player line-up for the nine-round Masters competition also includes Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan, David Anton Gujjaro of Spain, and local star David Navarra.

In the challengers section, Surya Shekhar Ganguly will lead the Indian charge alongside Women’s World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh. Benjamin Gledura of Hungary is the top seed in this section, ahead of Jonas Buhl Bjerre of Denmark.

When will the Prague International Chess Festival get underway?

The Prague International Chess event is slated to begin on 25 Feb 2026, Wednesday.

Where will the Prague International Chess Festival be held?

The Prague International Chess Festival will be held in the Capital City of Czech Republic.

Who are the players participating at the Prague International Chess Festival ?

Masters Section: D Gukesh, Aravindh Chithambaram, Vincent Keymer, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Parham Maghsoodloo, Jorden Van Foreest, Nordibek Yakkuboev, David Anton Guijaro, Hans Nieman, David Navarra

Challenges Section: Divya Deshmukh, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, Benjamin Gledura, Jonas Buhl Bjerre, Daniil Yuffa, Zhu Jiner, Vaclav Finek, Thomas Beerdsen, Stephan Hrbek, Jachym Nemec

News sports chess Prague International Chess Festival: All You Need To Know As Gukesh Headlines Masters, Divya Carries Challengers Hope

Read More