3/6/2026 – This week's show features two top grandmaster games in which Black quickly collapsed against the Italian Opening. In the first game, Yakubboev came up with a spectacular theoretical innovation in his game with Anton. The Uzbek GM surprised his opponent with a nicely prepared exchange sacrifice which enabled him to develop a powerful attack. Some days later at the American Cup, Sevian repeated the same variation against Dominguez, who deviated on move 11. There followed a position with major pieces and opposite-coloured bishops in which should be doing fine. However, it turned out that Black's problems were difficult to solve OTB and White again managed to win in spectacular style.

3/6/2026 – Black's first power move from the diagram position is 23...Qh4! - and you'll prove why that's so strong, okay?

3/6/2026 – From 25 February to 6 March 2026, the eighth Prague International Chess Festival is taking place at the Don Giovanni Hotel, bringing together elite competition and a wide programme of side events. Going into the final round, Nodirbek Abdusattorov is the sole leader in the Masters section and stands a half point ahead of Jorden van Foreest. Abdusattorov plays white against Hans Niemann, while Van Foreest plays black against Parham Maghsoodloo. | Follow the action live starting at 15.00 CET (9.00 ET, 19.30 IST) | Pictured: Divya Deshmukh | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague Chess Festival

3/6/2026 – Drama at the Prague Masters. Many had already resigned themselves to two draws and an unchanged situation at the top of the table. But then Jorden van Foreest lost the long-balanced game against Aravindh Chithambaram, surrendering his lead in the standings to Nodirbek Abdusattorov. The Uzbek GM was able to capitalise on a blunder by the previously in-form David Navara to secure the win. The duel between world champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Vincent Keymer ended in a draw after a long battle, as did the game between Nodirbek Yakubboev and Parham Maghsoodloo. Hans Niemann managed to score his first victory in his game against David Anton. The final round begins four hours earlier than usual, at 11 a.m. | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase

3/6/2026 – The fight for first place tightened in round eight of the Challengers at the Prague Chess Festival. Leader Vaclav Finek defended a difficult endgame to keep the top spot, but Daniil Yuffa moved to within half a point after scoring his second consecutive win. Benjamin Gledura also prevailed and remains in contention ahead of Friday's decisive round. | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague Chess Festival

3/5/2026 – The Prague Chess Festival has become a fixture on the tournament calendar and is now in its eighth edition. In an interview with ChessBase, organiser Petr Boleslav explains how the idea was born, why Prague was the natural home for the event, and what it takes to run such a top tournament with a rich programme of side events.