Aravindh Wins Prague Chess Masters, Now World Number-14

With a solid draw in the last round against GM Ediz Gurel, the 25-year-old “late bloomer” claimed his second consecutive super-tournament victory—having already triumphed at the 2024 Chennai Grand Masters—and soared to a peak live rating of 2743, establishing himself as the new world number-14.

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GM Aravindh Chithambaram’s remarkable string of successes added another historic chapter in Prague. Heading into the final round with a half-point lead, the Indian grandmaster calmly navigated a complex, yet balanced position versus GM Ediz Gurel to secure the draw he needed. The result crowned him champion, capping an outstanding performance in which he demonstrated both solid opening preparation and tenacious endgame technique.

Having first captured the world’s attention by winning the 2024 Chennai Grand Masters as a relative underdog, Aravindh’s subsequent triumph at the Prague Masters confirms that he is more than just a flash in the pan. His climb to a 2743 live rating has vaulted him into the world’s top 15, a meteoric ascent for a player often described as a “late bloomer.” While India has steadily produced fresh chess talent in recent years—with names like GM Gukesh D and GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu frequently dominating headlines—Aravindh’s success exemplifies the depth and resilience of his country’s emerging generation.

In a tantalizing subplot to Aravindh’s victory, GM Praggnanandhaa headed into the final day needing a must-win scenario to catch the leader and force a playoff. However, things did not go his way as he faced an in-form GM Anish Giri. Giri’s dynamic opening play soon posed problems that Praggnanandhaa couldn’t solve on the board, resulting in a second straight victory for the Dutch grandmaster. The win propelled Giri into a tie for second through fourth place, alongside Praggnanandhaa and GM Wei Yi, solidifying an exciting conclusion to the event.

Final Ranking after 9 Rounds

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

All other games in the final round ended in draws, underscoring the tight race across the field. Despite multiple decisive results earlier in the tournament, no one was able to overtake Aravindh’s lead. His composure under pressure was particularly noteworthy—throughout the event, he rarely found himself in worse positions, showcasing a balanced style that combines opportunistic aggression with sound, cautious strategy when needed.

Meanwhile, in the 2025 Prague Chess Festival Challengers, GM Nodirbek Yakubboev overcame GM Jonas Bjerre to clinch first place, thereby securing his qualification for next year’s Masters. This victory for Yakubboev sets the stage for yet another exciting chapter of international competition in Prague, where the young Uzbek GM will look to emulate Aravindh’s recent success in transitioning smoothly to elite-level events.

Aravindh’s back-to-back super-tournament titles reinforce a sense of renewal and unpredictability in the global chess arena. As he returns to India with another prestigious trophy, spectators and experts alike will be watching closely to see how he handles the ever-rising expectations in future tournaments. Whether it’s defending his crown at upcoming events or aiming for a seat at the Candidates’ table, Aravindh Chithambaram has proven that he deserves to be counted among chess’s most exciting new faces.