The 2026 edition of the Prague International Chess Festival 2026, featuring the Masters, Challengers and Futures tournaments, is now in the books.
The prestigious Masters tournament, a 10-player round-robin with classical time control, featured a formidable lineup and was fiercely contested event from start to finish. GM Jorden Van Foreest led most of the way scoring three straight victories in Rounds 3-5 (including a win over the World Champion Gukesh D), but never felt safe as his competitors stayed hard on his heels.
The race culminated in the penultimate eighth round: the Dutchman slipped in an equal endgame and lost to the last year’s winner Aravindh Chithambaram, while Nodirbek Abdusattorov defeated David Navara and surged ahead.
Going into the final round a half-point ahead of Van Foreest, Abdusattorov drew with Hans Niemann and secured the title with 6/9, as his main rival suffered second consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Parham Maghsoodloo. As a result, Maghsoodloo, Aravindh and Van Foreest tied for second place on 5/9, with the first two joining Abdusattrov on the podium due to superior tiebreaks.
Abdusattorov, the event’s only unbeaten player, claimed his second major title of 2026, gained 9 rating points and consolidated his leading position in the FIDE Circuit 2026 – 2027.
To the delight of the home crowd IM Vaclav Finek (CZE) won the Challengers event. WCM Kaja Rzadkowska from Poland emerged victorious in the Futures tournament.
Final standings – Challengers and Futures
Photos: Prague International Chess Festival
Official website: https://praguechessfestival.com/en/2026