Prague (Czech Republic), February 27 World Champion D Gukesh played another draw against Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan, while defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram pulled off a surprise victory against Hans Moke Niemann of the United States in the second round of the Masters section of the Prague International Chess Festival here.
Following a draw with Niemann, Gukesh's second game against Yakubboev also did not yield much, as Yakubboev seemed well-prepared in the Queen's Gambit Declined. After a few exchanges, the position appeared even, and Yakubboev sacrificed a rook to force a repetition of the position.
Aravindh continued with his preference for the Philidor Defence, while Niemann initially gained the advantage with the white pieces. However, the American ran out of time at a critical moment and paid the price, just when the analytical engines were evaluating his position as winning.
Aravindh quickly capitalized on his chances and soon transitioned into a winning endgame. This was a welcome victory for the Chennai-based player, following a heartbreaking first-round loss to Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan.
In the only other decisive game of the day, Spaniard David Anton Guijarro defeated in-form Dutchman Jorden van Foreest from the white side of a King's Indian Defence.
With seven rounds remaining, Abdusattorov, Yakubboev, and local hope David Navara emerged as co-leaders on 1.5 points each, followed by Gukesh, Aravindh, van Foreest, and Guijarro, who are half a point behind.
Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran, top-seeded Vincent Keymer of Germany, and Niemann are also half a point behind in the 10-player, 9-round tournament.
In the challengers section, Grandmaster and world women's cup winner Divya Deshmukh drew with Daniil Yuffa of Spain to maintain a 50% score after two games.
Following a draw with top-ranked Benjamin Gledura of Hungary in the opener, this was another good result for Divya, who is vying for a chance to play in a world championship match after the women's candidates tournament, scheduled at the end of March.
The other Indian, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, opened his account with a draw against Jonas Buhl Bjerre of Denmark.
Round 2 Results: D Gukesh (Ind, 1) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 1.5); Hans Moke Niemann (Usa, 0.5) lost to Aravindh Chithambaram (Ind, 1); David Anton Guijarro (Esp, 1) beat Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 1); Parham Maghsoodloo (Iri, 0.5) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 1.5); Vincent Keymer (Ger, 0.5) drew with David Navara (Cze, 1.5).
Challengers: Gledura Benjamin (Hun, 0.5) lost to Thomas Beerdsen (Ned, 2); Jonas Buhl Bjerre (Den, 1) drew with Surya Shekhar Ganguly (Ind, 0.5); Jachym Nemec (Cze, 0.5) lost to Finek Vanclav (Cze, 1.5); Stpen Hrbek (Cze, 2) beat Jiner Zhu (Chn, 0); Divya Deshmukh (Ind, 1) drew with Daniil Yuffa (Esp, 0.5).
