After a challenging start to the year, including an early exit from the World Cup and a disappointing showing at the Tata Steel Masters, world champion D Gukesh is aiming for a strong comeback at the Prague International Chess Festival, which begins on Wednesday.

Gukesh, India’s highest-rated player ranked 10th globally, is seeded second in the elite field, which includes strong contenders like top-seeded Vincent Keymer and Uzbek grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov, both of whom have shown better recent form. Keymer is currently fourth in live global ratings, just ahead of Abdusattorov.

The Indian grandmaster will look to turn around his early-season form and assert himself against this young, competitive field. Analysts suggest that strong performance in Prague could help restore confidence ahead of upcoming international tournaments and consolidate his position among the world’s elite players.

The Prague Chess Festival has drawn a mix of rising stars and established grandmasters, making it a key event for testing strategies and gaining momentum early in the 2026 chess season. Gukesh will be central to India’s hopes of a standout showing in the tournament.