Prague (Czech Republic), March 1 World champion D Gukesh continued his quest for his first victory as he drew with David Navara of the Czech Republic in the fourth round of the Prague International Chess Festival here.
On a day when Jorden van Foreest of the Netherlands edged ahead with his third victory in four games, defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram fought hard against Vincent Keymer of Germany.
Van Foreest defeated Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan, while the other two games in the 10-player round-robin tournament ended in draws.
American Hans Moke Niemann drew with Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran, and David Anton Guijarro had the same result against Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan.
With five rounds still to come and the event nearing the halfway mark, van Foreest, with three points, is now followed by Abdusattorov and Navara, who are a half point ahead of Yakubboev, Keymer, and Guijarro.
The remaining four participants – Chithambaram, Gukesh, Niemann, and Maghsoodloo – are all tied for seventh place with 1.5 points apiece.
Navara may be past his prime, but his experience playing at a high level in the past has been a great advantage for him here.
The Czech number one had to defend a difficult position against Gukesh out of a Ruy Lopez Berlin opening, but he denied the world champion any decisive advantage.
The result was a level rook and pawn endgame, in which Gukesh had to split the point when the kings remained on the board after 72 moves.
Chithambaram's choice of sticking to the Philidor defense surprised Keymer, who seized the initiative early with a king-side attack.
The Indian lost a pawn in the tactical melee and then lost a Bishop without much counterplay in this nearly one-sided encounter.
Van Foreest has been in great form recently, and followed up his victory over Gukesh by defeating Yakubboev. The Dutchman was tenacious in a difficult middle game, and held his own against White's heavy pieces, and was ultimately rewarded when Yakubboev lost his position.
Meanwhile, in the challengers section being organized simultaneously, world women's cup winner Divya Deshmukh drew with sole leader Vanclav Finek of the Czech Republic, while the other Indian, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, signed peace with Stepn Herbek of the host country.
Divya is on 1.5 points in the event, and Ganguly has one point from his four outings in the tournament, which is being led by Finek on 3 points.
Round 4 results: Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB, 2) lost to Jorden van Foreest (NED, 3); D Gukesh (IND, 1.5) drew with David Navara (CZE, 2.5); David Anton Guijarro (ESP, 1.5) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 2.5); Vincent Keymer (GER, 2) beat Aravindh Chithambaram (IND, 1.5); Hans Moke Niemann (USA, 1.5) drew with Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI, 1.5).
Challengers: Daniil Yuffa (ESP, 1.5) beat Jiner Zhu (CHN, 1); Benjamin Gledura (HUN, 1.5) beat Joans Buhl Bjerre (DEN, 2); Jachym Nemec (CZE, 2.5) drew with Thomas Beerdsen (NED, 2.5); Stepn Hrbek (CZE, 2.5) drew with Surya Shekhar Ganguly (IND, 1); Divya Deshmukh (IND, 1.5) drew with Finek Vanclav (CZE, 3).
