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Aravindh Chithambaram dominates Prague Masters 2025 with a 2829 performance

by Shahid Ahmed - 08/03/2025

Aravindh Chithambaram drew Ediz Gurel (TUR) to become the champion of 7th Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Masters. Anish Giri's (NED) victory over R Praggnanandhaa ensured Aravindh's clear first place finish with a 6/9 score. Anish finished second 5/9. Wei Yi (CHN) drew with Liem Quang Le (VIE) to finish third with the same score 5/9. Aravindh's performance rating at this event was 2829. He gained a valuable 12 Elo rating points, taking him to World no.14 in the live ratings. Those who have followed Aravindh's career always knew and believed him to have the potential to reach here and beyond. Him winning two Classical super tournaments in-a-row with the exact same rating performance is also quite unique. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Aravindh wins his second consecutive super tournament

Aravindh Chithambaram is a humble and soft-spoken powerhouse. He mentioned that he had difficulty sleeping once he got into the sole lead. It was evident during his games. Most importantly, he always believed in himself that he has a very good potential. We all are seeing him realize it now as he grabs every single great opportunity that is presented to him. He also mentioned that he is getting a lot of invitations. We cannot wait to see what's in store for the new World-class level which Aravindh has unlocked within himself recently. Challengers and Futures report will be published separately.

Masters Top 3 (L to R): Roman Muzik, sponsor, 3rd GM Wei Yi (CHN) 5/9, 1st GM Aravindh Chithambaram 6/9, 2nd GM Anish Giri (NED) 5/9, and Petr Boleslav, Tournament Director

Aravindh Chithambaram receives Kavalek award from GM Peter Leko in presence of Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam, Editor-in-Chief, New In Chess and Petr Boleslav, Tournament Director

The champion won the award for his seventh round win over Anish Giri. He received it from the legend, GM Peter Leko (HUN) in presence of Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam (NED), Editor-in-Chief, New In Chess and Petr Boleslav (CZE), Tournament Director.

Gurel - Aravindh: 0.5-0.5

GM Aravindh Chithambaram (2731) faced GM Ediz Gurel (TUR, 2620) only once earlier at World Blitz 2023 which Aravindh won. This time, Aravindh needed just a draw to secure Playoff. As it turned out, it was enough for him to become a clear champion, thanks to an assist by Anish Giri.

Aravindh Chithambaram on winning Prague Masters 2025 | Video: ChessBase India

Ediz Gurel (TUR) played really well to draw with the eventual champion, Aravindh Chithambaram

Aravindh Chithambaram scored an unbeaten 6/9, performed at 2829 and gained 12 Elo rating points

Giri - Praggnanandhaa

Position after 20...Ndxe5

GM R Praggnanandhaa (2758) was virtually in a must-win situation. So he had no choice but to take whatever chance he could 20...Ndxe5 21.fxe5 Nxe5 22.Qc2 Bd7 23.a3 h4 24.h3 c5 25.Bxd5 White returned the material to improve the placement of his bishops cxd4 26.Bxd4 Rb8? 27.Ne4 Bg4?? 28.Bxf7+! the position completely shifted in White's favor.

Anish Giri scored his second win in-a-row to secure a second place finish

Wei Yi (CHN) signing autograph for a young fan. He drew with Liem Quang Le (VIE) to finish third

GM Anish Giri won game of the round 8 award with an 71% of total votes, 35 percentage points more than the next voted game

Jaroslav Svoboda, Founder and Owner of Czech Inn hotels, made the ceremonial first move of Round 9 on David Navara and Sam Shankland's board

Round 9 in progress

Best Pair - GM Wei Yi (CHN) 5/9 and Zuzana Stara (CZE) 6/9, combined total - 11/18

Masters participants with Roman Muzik (left), sponsor and Petr Boleslav (right), Tournament Director

For more Round 9 and Prize distribution ceremony photos, please click at the respective links.

Schedule

The Round-Robin tournaments will take place from 26th February to 7th March 2025. Every day except the last round, games will start at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Monday 3rd March is a rest day. The ninth round game on 7th March will start at 11 a.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST.

Replay Round 9 Live Commentary by IM Sagar Shah and GM Harshit Raja | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Round 9 Masters games

Round 9 Masters results

Bo.

No.

Rtg

 

White

Result

Black

 

Rtg

No.

PGN

1

5

2739

GM

LE Quang Liem

½ - ½

GM

WEI Yi

2755

10

PGN

2

6

2728

GM

GIRI Anish

1 - 0

GM

PRAGGNANANDHAA R

2741

4

PGN

3

7

2677

GM

NAVARA David

½ - ½

GM

SHANKLAND Sam

2670

3

PGN

4

8

2624

GM

GUREL Ediz

½ - ½

GM

ARAVINDH Chithambaram Vr.

2729

2

PGN

5

9

2668

GM

NGUYEN Thai Dai Van

½ - ½

GM

KEYMER Vincent

2731

1

PGN

Details

Final standings

Rk.

SNo

 

Name

FED

Rtg

Pts.

 TB1 

 TB2 

 TB3 

1

2

GM

ARAVINDH Chithambaram Vr.

IND

2729

6

0

26,75

4

2

6

GM

GIRI Anish

NED

2728

5

1,5

21,50

5

3

10

GM

WEI Yi

CHN

2755

5

1

20,25

5

4

4

GM

PRAGGNANANDHAA R

IND

2741

5

0,5

21,25

4

5

8

GM

GUREL Ediz

TUR

2624

4,5

0,5

19,75

5

6

1

GM

KEYMER Vincent

GER

2731

4,5

0,5

19,25

4

7

3

GM

SHANKLAND Sam

USA

2670

4

1,5

17,50

4

8

7

GM

NAVARA David

CZE

2677

4

1

18,00

5

9

5

GM

LE Quang Liem

VIE

2739

4

0,5

18,50

4

10

9

GM

NGUYEN Thai Dai Van

CZE

2668

3

0

13,75

5

Details

Time Control

The time control is 90'/40 moves + 30'/end & 30"/move.

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations: Masters, Challengers, Futures and Open

Prague Chess Festival: fbtwitter, instagram and youtube


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