Chess Titans Collide at Prague Masters: Praggnanandhaa Leads the Charge

After a thrilling win at the Tata Steel Masters, Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa emerges as the favorite at the Prague Masters, with fierce competitors like Wei Yi and Le Quang Liem. Debut participation by Aravindh Chithambaram adds intrigue, while the Indian contingency remains a strong force at the tournament.

The chess world turns its eyes to the Prague Masters as R Praggnanandhaa, fresh off a sensational victory at the Tata Steel Masters, prepares to stake his claim as the frontrunner. Following his triumphant duel against world champion D Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa seeks to ride the wave of success into this prestigious tournament.

Among the lineup, Aravindh Chithambaram's debut in elite chess stands out, reflecting his ascent in both global ranking and performance. His sterling live rating of 2730 points situates him near the top 20 worldwide. Meanwhile, Chinese Grandmaster Wei Yi holds the top seed, closely followed by the formidable Praggnanandhaa.

This 10-player, 9-round all-play-all event includes notables such as Vietnam's Le Quang Liem and Germany's Vincent Keymer. Anish Giri of the Netherlands, known for his deep theoretical insights, and Czech Grandmasters David Navara and Nguyen Thai Dai Van, add to the competition's depth. All eyes are on Praggnanandhaa, who boasts a 14.98% chance of victory according to analyses, setting the stage for a compelling chess showdown.

(With inputs from agencies.)