Novy Bor Chess Club holds a slim lead in the Czech Extraliga chess league following the completion of eight rounds. The competition, which began on November 29, 2025, features twelve top teams vying for the title in a round-robin format. Exhibition Centre Lysá nad Labem and ŠK ZIKUDA Turnov A trail closely in joint second place.
The Czech Extraliga, regarded as one of Europe's premier team chess competitions, kicked off on November 29, 2025, with twelve of the strongest clubs participating in an 11-round round-robin tournament. Each round operates under a time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, plus 30 additional minutes and 30 seconds per move from the start.
After the eighth round concluded on February 22, 2026, Novy Bor Chess Club tops the standings with 21 points, defending their title after securing a record 14 previous victories. In joint second are Exhibition Centre Lysá nad Labem and ŠK ZIKUDA Turnov A, both on 19 points. Notably, in round 7, ŠK ZIKUDA Turnov A defeated the leaders 4.5-3.5, repeating their success from the prior season. Key results from that match included draws on boards one (Radoslaw Wojtaszek vs. Maxim Rodshtein) and five (David Navara vs. Valery Kazakouski), a win for Turnov on board three (Václav Finěk vs. Jonas Buhl Bjerre, 0-1), and a victory for Novy Bor on board eight (Richard Biolek Jr. vs. Tadeáš Baláček, 1-0).
This season introduces changes, with ŠK Líně and GASCO Pardubice absent, replaced by the B teams of Turnov and Moravská Slavia Brno. A new prize fund rewards the top three: 50,000 CZK for first, 30,000 CZK for second, and 20,000 CZK for third. Rounds 7 and 8 took place at the Don Giovanni Hotel in Prague, ahead of the Prague International Chess Festival 2026.
Only a final three-round tournament remains, set for March 27-29, 2026, in Olomouc, where the battle for medals and survival intensifies. The league's main partner, šachy.cz, supports the event through financial backing and promotional efforts.
