World champion D Gukesh will lead India’s challenge at the Prague International Chess Festival, which begins in Prague on Wednesday, as he seeks a quick turnaround following an early exit from the World Cup and a disappointing showing at the Tata Steel Masters. Seeded second in a young, elite field, Gukesh arrives under pressure to convert his status into strong results on the board.
Gukesh faces stiff competition from top-seeded German Vincent Keymer and Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattorov, both of whom have been posting better recent results. Keymer sits fourth in the global live ratings, just ahead of Abdusattorov, while Gukesh is ranked 10th and is the highest-rated Indian in the event.
A recent reshuffle in the live rankings — with Arjun Erigaisi and R. Praggnanandhaa slipping down — has lifted Gukesh to the position of India’s current number one in live ratings. Observers note that Gukesh has been consistent, even if not at his absolute best in the latest events, and will be looking to translate that consistency into a title bid in Prague.
Joining Gukesh as India’s representative in the elite field is defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram, the Chennai-based player who made his breakthrough at this very tournament. Seeded seventh, Chithambaram is aiming to regain his place in the 2700 rating club after a sub-par performance at the Tata event and faces an uphill task in defending his crown.
In the challengers section, experienced grandmaster Surya Shekhar Ganguly will headline India’s campaign, accompanied by Women’s World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh. The Prague festival offers India a chance to reaffirm its strength on the global chess stage as its top players pursue form and momentum. (PTI)
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/02/25/gukesh-eyes-his-first-success-of-2026/
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Publish Date: 2026-02-25 04:48:00
