Gukesh ends draught with win over Guijarro; Aravindh finishes joint second at Prague Masters 2026

Gukesh ends draught with win over Guijarro; Aravindh finishes joint second at Prague Masters 2026

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World Champion D Gukesh ended a winless streak, beating David Anton Guijarro of Spain in the ninth and final round of the Masters section of the Prague International Chess festival that concluded here.

Aravindh Chithambaram also sparkled in the last round, defeating David Navara of Czech Republic to finish joint second.

After a string of draws and three losses earlier in the tournament, Gukesh was finally able to show his mettle in what was a well-played game by the Indian ace.

Guijarro, who succumbed to his third loss in a row, was no match for Gukesh in creativity and was grounded in the endgame.

Meanwhile, Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan won the tournament after an easy draw with white against Hans Moke Niemann of United States.

The Uzbek had earlier won the Tata Steel Masters in February and in another worthy performance he scored three victories and six draws to remain undefeated here.

Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran, Jorden van Foreest of Holland and Aravindh scored an identical five points to tie for the second spot.

For Aravindh, it was an excellent recovery towards the end just while it looked like he was struggling. Against Navara, the Indian played his trademark complicated chess and was rewarded when he created threats on both sides of the board.

After leading the tournament for the first seven rounds, Van Foreest ran out of steam and suffered his second straight loss in the tournament at the hands of Maghsoodloo.

ALSO READ | Divya Deshmukh enters top-10 in women’s live ranking

Navarra and Uzbek Nodirbek Yakubboev tied for the fifth spot on 4.5 points, a half point ahead of German Vincent Keymer and Niemann while Gukesh and Guijarro tied for the ninth spot in the ten-players round-robin tournament.

There was more good news for the Indians on the final day in the Challengers’ section where Divya Deshmukh defeated Hrbek Stepan of Czech Republic to finish on a creditable third spot.

Just ahead of the Women’s candidates’ tournament to be held at Cyprus at the end of the month, this result will definitely send warning signals to Divya’s opponents.

Grandmaster Surya Shekhar Ganguly also finished on a high defeating higher rated Benjamin Gledura of Hungary in his last outing.

The 16-year-old Finek Vanclav of Czech Republic scored an enviable 6.5 points to win the event a half point ahead of Daniel Yuffa of Spain.

Results:

Masters: Vincent Keymer (Ger, 4) lost to Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzb, 4.5); Parham Maghsoodloo (Iri, 5) beat Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 5); David Anton Guijarro (Esp, 3.5) lost to D Gukesh (Ind, 3.5) Aravindh Chithambaram (Ind, 5) beat David Navara (Cze, 4.5); Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 6) drew with Hans Moke Niemann (Usa, 4).

Challengers: Jonas Bjerre Buhl (Den, 4.5) beat Zhu Jiner (Chn, 2.5); Thomas Beerdsen (Ned, 4) lost to Finek Vanclav (Cze, 6.5); Nemec Jachym (Cze, 4.5) lost to Daniil Yuffa (Esp, 6); Surya Shekhar Ganguly (Ind, 4) beat Benjamin Gledura (Hun, 4.5); Hrbek Stepan (Cze, 3.5) lost to Divya Deshmukh (Ind, 5).

Published on Mar 06, 2026

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Deadspin | Braves blank Phillies as Austin Riley blasts two homers Apr 17, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) high fives right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) after hitting a three RBI home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Martin Perez tossed six scoreless innings and Austin Riley hit a pair of opposite-field home runs as the visiting Atlanta Braves smashed the Philadelphia Phillies 9-0 on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. After getting designated for assignment and re-signed by Atlanta earlier in the week, Perez (1-1) allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out four. Jose Suarez logged the final three innings for the save, helping the Braves improve to 7-2 in their last nine. The Phillies, meanwhile, have dropped seven of nine. They managed only six hits in this one, including three by Bryce Harper and two by J.T. Realmuto. Starter Taijuan Walker (1-3) was charged with seven runs and seven hits in four frames. Atlanta’s first three batters of the game reached against Walker, who eventually allowed two runs in the inning capped by Mike Yastrzemski’s run-scoring infield single. Philadelphia threatened in the bottom half, but Perez retired Edmundo Sosa and Realmuto with the bases loaded to escape the jam. The Braves’ offense put together another rally in the second inning as Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna singled with one out. Walker recovered to strike out Drake Baldwin, but Matt Olson delivered an RBI single and Riley followed with a three-run shot over the right-field wall to make it 6-0. Dominic Smith’s homer in the third increased the lead to 7-0. Harper tripled with one out in the third, but the Phillies could not bring him around. Perez had no major issues in the fourth, fifth or sixth before handing it off to the bullpen. Suarez allowed a one-out walk to Trea Turner in the seventh, but he retired the next two hitters. He logged another strong inning in the eighth, giving up a two-out single to Realmuto before setting down Alec Bohm on a popout. Harris’ homer in the eighth and Riley’s blast in the ninth — the third of the season for both — extended the margin to 9-0. Suarez took care of the ninth to complete his third career save and the Braves’ fourth shutout in 20 games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braves #blank #Phillies #Austin #Riley #blasts #homersApr 17, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) high fives right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) after hitting a three RBI home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Martin Perez tossed six scoreless innings and Austin Riley hit a pair of opposite-field home runs as the visiting Atlanta Braves smashed the Philadelphia Phillies 9-0 on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.

After getting designated for assignment and re-signed by Atlanta earlier in the week, Perez (1-1) allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out four. Jose Suarez logged the final three innings for the save, helping the Braves improve to 7-2 in their last nine.

The Phillies, meanwhile, have dropped seven of nine. They managed only six hits in this one, including three by Bryce Harper and two by J.T. Realmuto. Starter Taijuan Walker (1-3) was charged with seven runs and seven hits in four frames.

Atlanta’s first three batters of the game reached against Walker, who eventually allowed two runs in the inning capped by Mike Yastrzemski’s run-scoring infield single.

Philadelphia threatened in the bottom half, but Perez retired Edmundo Sosa and Realmuto with the bases loaded to escape the jam.


The Braves’ offense put together another rally in the second inning as Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna singled with one out. Walker recovered to strike out Drake Baldwin, but Matt Olson delivered an RBI single and Riley followed with a three-run shot over the right-field wall to make it 6-0.

Dominic Smith’s homer in the third increased the lead to 7-0.

Harper tripled with one out in the third, but the Phillies could not bring him around. Perez had no major issues in the fourth, fifth or sixth before handing it off to the bullpen.

Suarez allowed a one-out walk to Trea Turner in the seventh, but he retired the next two hitters. He logged another strong inning in the eighth, giving up a two-out single to Realmuto before setting down Alec Bohm on a popout.

Harris’ homer in the eighth and Riley’s blast in the ninth — the third of the season for both — extended the margin to 9-0.

Suarez took care of the ninth to complete his third career save and the Braves’ fourth shutout in 20 games.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Braves #blank #Phillies #Austin #Riley #blasts #homers">Deadspin | Braves blank Phillies as Austin Riley blasts two homers Apr 17, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) high fives right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) after hitting a three RBI home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Martin Perez tossed six scoreless innings and Austin Riley hit a pair of opposite-field home runs as the visiting Atlanta Braves smashed the Philadelphia Phillies 9-0 on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. After getting designated for assignment and re-signed by Atlanta earlier in the week, Perez (1-1) allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out four. Jose Suarez logged the final three innings for the save, helping the Braves improve to 7-2 in their last nine. The Phillies, meanwhile, have dropped seven of nine. They managed only six hits in this one, including three by Bryce Harper and two by J.T. Realmuto. Starter Taijuan Walker (1-3) was charged with seven runs and seven hits in four frames. Atlanta’s first three batters of the game reached against Walker, who eventually allowed two runs in the inning capped by Mike Yastrzemski’s run-scoring infield single. Philadelphia threatened in the bottom half, but Perez retired Edmundo Sosa and Realmuto with the bases loaded to escape the jam. The Braves’ offense put together another rally in the second inning as Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna singled with one out. Walker recovered to strike out Drake Baldwin, but Matt Olson delivered an RBI single and Riley followed with a three-run shot over the right-field wall to make it 6-0. Dominic Smith’s homer in the third increased the lead to 7-0. Harper tripled with one out in the third, but the Phillies could not bring him around. Perez had no major issues in the fourth, fifth or sixth before handing it off to the bullpen. Suarez allowed a one-out walk to Trea Turner in the seventh, but he retired the next two hitters. He logged another strong inning in the eighth, giving up a two-out single to Realmuto before setting down Alec Bohm on a popout. Harris’ homer in the eighth and Riley’s blast in the ninth — the third of the season for both — extended the margin to 9-0. Suarez took care of the ninth to complete his third career save and the Braves’ fourth shutout in 20 games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braves #blank #Phillies #Austin #Riley #blasts #homers

Deadspin | Orioles do all their damage in the eighth, stun Guardians 6-4 Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson (82) hits a three-run home run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Jeremiah Jackson hit a three-run homer off Connor Brogdon as part of a six-run eighth inning, rallying the visiting Baltimore Orioles to a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night. Jackson’s fifth home run of the season came with two outs, capping a wild turn of events that saw the Orioles score six times off relievers Shawn Armstrong, Erik Sabrowski and Brogdon on two hits, three walks and a hit by pitch. Cleveland had taken a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the seventh on Daniel Schneemann’s second career grand slam, a towering 407-foot drive to right off Anthony Nunez, before Baltimore stormed back to snap its three-game losing streak. Rico Garcia (2-0) was awarded the win for working a clean eighth inning, while Ryan Helsley earned his sixth save in six opportunities. Sabrowski (0-1) allowed two runs and recorded two outs for the loss. Baltimore pulled within 4-3 on a sacrifice fly from Johnathan Rodriguez and a two-run double by fellow pinch hitter Weston Wilson before Brogdon entered to face Jackson. Sabrowski came in after Armstrong put three aboard without getting an out. Schneemann’s slam caused the first inherited runs by the Orioles’ bullpen in their 20th game. Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter and Jose Ramirez reached against Grant Wolfram, including Kwan on an error by second baseman Jackson that made three of the runs unearned. Tanner Bibee tossed a season-high six innings for the Guardians, striking out five in his initial scoreless appearance of 2026. The right-hander allowed four hits and three walks, but remained winless in five outings. Orioles starter Chris Bassitt threw 100 pitches over five scoreless innings, giving up four hits and four walks with two strikeouts. The righty, who is still seeking his first win, stranded seven runners in his longest outing of the year. There was a delay in the fifth when Baltimore right fielder Colton Cowser collided with the wall while catching a foul ball by DeLauter. He remained in the game after having his knees checked out by a trainer. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Orioles #damage #eighth #stun #GuardiansApr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson (82) hits a three-run home run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Jeremiah Jackson hit a three-run homer off Connor Brogdon as part of a six-run eighth inning, rallying the visiting Baltimore Orioles to a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night.

Jackson’s fifth home run of the season came with two outs, capping a wild turn of events that saw the Orioles score six times off relievers Shawn Armstrong, Erik Sabrowski and Brogdon on two hits, three walks and a hit by pitch.

Cleveland had taken a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the seventh on Daniel Schneemann’s second career grand slam, a towering 407-foot drive to right off Anthony Nunez, before Baltimore stormed back to snap its three-game losing streak.

Rico Garcia (2-0) was awarded the win for working a clean eighth inning, while Ryan Helsley earned his sixth save in six opportunities. Sabrowski (0-1) allowed two runs and recorded two outs for the loss.


Baltimore pulled within 4-3 on a sacrifice fly from Johnathan Rodriguez and a two-run double by fellow pinch hitter Weston Wilson before Brogdon entered to face Jackson. Sabrowski came in after Armstrong put three aboard without getting an out.

Schneemann’s slam caused the first inherited runs by the Orioles’ bullpen in their 20th game. Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter and Jose Ramirez reached against Grant Wolfram, including Kwan on an error by second baseman Jackson that made three of the runs unearned.

Tanner Bibee tossed a season-high six innings for the Guardians, striking out five in his initial scoreless appearance of 2026. The right-hander allowed four hits and three walks, but remained winless in five outings.

Orioles starter Chris Bassitt threw 100 pitches over five scoreless innings, giving up four hits and four walks with two strikeouts. The righty, who is still seeking his first win, stranded seven runners in his longest outing of the year.

There was a delay in the fifth when Baltimore right fielder Colton Cowser collided with the wall while catching a foul ball by DeLauter. He remained in the game after having his knees checked out by a trainer.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Orioles #damage #eighth #stun #Guardians">Deadspin | Orioles do all their damage in the eighth, stun Guardians 6-4 Apr 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson (82) hits a three-run home run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Jeremiah Jackson hit a three-run homer off Connor Brogdon as part of a six-run eighth inning, rallying the visiting Baltimore Orioles to a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night. Jackson’s fifth home run of the season came with two outs, capping a wild turn of events that saw the Orioles score six times off relievers Shawn Armstrong, Erik Sabrowski and Brogdon on two hits, three walks and a hit by pitch. Cleveland had taken a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the seventh on Daniel Schneemann’s second career grand slam, a towering 407-foot drive to right off Anthony Nunez, before Baltimore stormed back to snap its three-game losing streak. Rico Garcia (2-0) was awarded the win for working a clean eighth inning, while Ryan Helsley earned his sixth save in six opportunities. Sabrowski (0-1) allowed two runs and recorded two outs for the loss. Baltimore pulled within 4-3 on a sacrifice fly from Johnathan Rodriguez and a two-run double by fellow pinch hitter Weston Wilson before Brogdon entered to face Jackson. Sabrowski came in after Armstrong put three aboard without getting an out. Schneemann’s slam caused the first inherited runs by the Orioles’ bullpen in their 20th game. Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter and Jose Ramirez reached against Grant Wolfram, including Kwan on an error by second baseman Jackson that made three of the runs unearned. Tanner Bibee tossed a season-high six innings for the Guardians, striking out five in his initial scoreless appearance of 2026. The right-hander allowed four hits and three walks, but remained winless in five outings. Orioles starter Chris Bassitt threw 100 pitches over five scoreless innings, giving up four hits and four walks with two strikeouts. The righty, who is still seeking his first win, stranded seven runners in his longest outing of the year. There was a delay in the fifth when Baltimore right fielder Colton Cowser collided with the wall while catching a foul ball by DeLauter. He remained in the game after having his knees checked out by a trainer. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Orioles #damage #eighth #stun #Guardians

Deadspin | Bubba Chandler shines as Pirates snap Rays’ six-game streak Apr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) delivers a pitch to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images Bubba Chandler allowed one run over six innings and the host Pittsburgh Pirates totaled 11 hits to secure a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. Chandler (1-1) struck out three, allowed three hits and walked one while throwing 90 pitches in his first career start against the Rays, who had a six-game winning streak snapped. Marcell Ozuna, Spencer Horwitz and Brandon Lowe each had three hits to lead the Pirates. Lowe had two doubles and two RBIs against his former team. Ozuna continued to break out of a slump with his eighth hit in his past 20 at-bats after starting the season with a 2-for-39 stretch. After Chandler limited Tampa Bay to one hit over his first 5 2/3 innings, Junior Caminero drove in the Rays’ lone run in the top of the sixth with a game-tying, two-out single. Oneil Cruz broke the tie with two outs in the bottom of that inning when he smacked a two-run home run off Rays reliever Griffin Jax over the right field fence. Horwitz’s second-inning double scored Ozuna to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead. Chandler retired 10 in a row until Chandler Simpson’s two-out single on a high chopper that went off Chandler’s glove and allowed him to beat the throw to first. Simpson reached second on a wild pitch and then scored on Caminero’s single. Rays starter Nick Martinez (0-1) threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts. He was lifted in the sixth after allowing a leadoff single to Horwitz and inducing a fielder’s choice from Konnor Griffin. After stealing second, Griffin advanced to third on a wild pitch by Jax. Cruz then delivered his sixth homer of the season. The Rays had two runners on base in the ninth after a double by Yandy Diaz and after Ben Williamson drew a walk from Pirates closer Dennis Santana. But Santana induced a game-ending popup in foul ground by Cedric Mullins. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bubba #Chandler #shines #Pirates #snap #Rays #sixgame #streakApr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) delivers a pitch to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Bubba Chandler allowed one run over six innings and the host Pittsburgh Pirates totaled 11 hits to secure a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

Chandler (1-1) struck out three, allowed three hits and walked one while throwing 90 pitches in his first career start against the Rays, who had a six-game winning streak snapped.

Marcell Ozuna, Spencer Horwitz and Brandon Lowe each had three hits to lead the Pirates. Lowe had two doubles and two RBIs against his former team. Ozuna continued to break out of a slump with his eighth hit in his past 20 at-bats after starting the season with a 2-for-39 stretch.

After Chandler limited Tampa Bay to one hit over his first 5 2/3 innings, Junior Caminero drove in the Rays’ lone run in the top of the sixth with a game-tying, two-out single.


Oneil Cruz broke the tie with two outs in the bottom of that inning when he smacked a two-run home run off Rays reliever Griffin Jax over the right field fence.

Horwitz’s second-inning double scored Ozuna to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead.

Chandler retired 10 in a row until Chandler Simpson’s two-out single on a high chopper that went off Chandler’s glove and allowed him to beat the throw to first. Simpson reached second on a wild pitch and then scored on Caminero’s single.

Rays starter Nick Martinez (0-1) threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts. He was lifted in the sixth after allowing a leadoff single to Horwitz and inducing a fielder’s choice from Konnor Griffin. After stealing second, Griffin advanced to third on a wild pitch by Jax. Cruz then delivered his sixth homer of the season.

The Rays had two runners on base in the ninth after a double by Yandy Diaz and after Ben Williamson drew a walk from Pirates closer Dennis Santana. But Santana induced a game-ending popup in foul ground by Cedric Mullins.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bubba #Chandler #shines #Pirates #snap #Rays #sixgame #streak">Deadspin | Bubba Chandler shines as Pirates snap Rays’ six-game streak Apr 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) delivers a pitch to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images Bubba Chandler allowed one run over six innings and the host Pittsburgh Pirates totaled 11 hits to secure a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. Chandler (1-1) struck out three, allowed three hits and walked one while throwing 90 pitches in his first career start against the Rays, who had a six-game winning streak snapped. Marcell Ozuna, Spencer Horwitz and Brandon Lowe each had three hits to lead the Pirates. Lowe had two doubles and two RBIs against his former team. Ozuna continued to break out of a slump with his eighth hit in his past 20 at-bats after starting the season with a 2-for-39 stretch. After Chandler limited Tampa Bay to one hit over his first 5 2/3 innings, Junior Caminero drove in the Rays’ lone run in the top of the sixth with a game-tying, two-out single. Oneil Cruz broke the tie with two outs in the bottom of that inning when he smacked a two-run home run off Rays reliever Griffin Jax over the right field fence. Horwitz’s second-inning double scored Ozuna to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead. Chandler retired 10 in a row until Chandler Simpson’s two-out single on a high chopper that went off Chandler’s glove and allowed him to beat the throw to first. Simpson reached second on a wild pitch and then scored on Caminero’s single. Rays starter Nick Martinez (0-1) threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts. He was lifted in the sixth after allowing a leadoff single to Horwitz and inducing a fielder’s choice from Konnor Griffin. After stealing second, Griffin advanced to third on a wild pitch by Jax. Cruz then delivered his sixth homer of the season. The Rays had two runners on base in the ninth after a double by Yandy Diaz and after Ben Williamson drew a walk from Pirates closer Dennis Santana. But Santana induced a game-ending popup in foul ground by Cedric Mullins. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bubba #Chandler #shines #Pirates #snap #Rays #sixgame #streak

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