The Prague Chess Festival Masters delivered high drama in round three as Jorden van Foreest handed World Champion D Gukesh a decisive defeat. The Dutch GM’s masterful strategy ended Gukesh’s unbeaten run, propelling him into a shared lead.
Previously drawing his openers, Van Foreest capitalized on subtle edges to outmaneuver the Indian star. Gukesh drops into a battle for survival, tied with three others at the bottom, but six rounds left offer ample recovery time.
‘I feel fantastic,’ Van Foreest said after the win. ‘Beating Gukesh, the world champ, is special—my first time after prior encounters. He played solidly, staying composed without overreaching.’
Regaining lost rating points, Van Foreest strengthens his position. Gukesh ties with Praggnanandhaa at world No. 13.
Round highlights: Arjun Erigaisi drew with Parham Maghsoodloo; David Navara vs David Anton was a swift stalemate; Abdusattorov and Yakubboev pressed Keymer and Niemann but settled for draws.
Leaderboards shift rapidly at Prague Masters. This round proves the event’s unpredictability, where top talents like Gukesh and Arjun must dig deep. Expect fireworks in the battles ahead as supremacy hangs in balance.
