Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa split points with Czech hero David Navara while compatriot Aravindh Chithambaram escaped with a draw with another local star Nguyen Thai Dai Van in the first round of the Prague Masters.

Praggnanandhaa, Aravindh, Anish Giri, Quang Leim Le, Dai Van and Navara share the third spot with half a point each followed by Wei Yi and Gurel Ediz.