Praggnanandhaa Maintains Lead at 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz as Blitz Rounds Approach

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu Maintains Lead at 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz

Saint Louis, MO – August 5, 2026 – For the third consecutive day, Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu has solidified his position at the top of the standings in the 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament. Despite a setback in the final round of the rapid portion, where he lost to GM Jorden van Foreest, Praggnanandhaa finished with an impressive 12 points, keeping him one point ahead of GM Javokhir Sindarov and two points ahead of GM Wesley So.

The tournament, which features a total prize fund of $200,000, is heating up as it transitions into the blitz rounds, starting Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. ET. The blitz format will see each win count for one point, a shift from the two points awarded for victories in the rapid rounds.

Praggnanandhaa’s performance has been a model of consistency, with four wins, four draws, and just one loss across nine rounds. His remarkable showing has also propelled him into the world top-10 in rapid chess for the first time in his career, a significant milestone for the young prodigy.

A Day of Decisive Games

Day three of the tournament featured a mix of outcomes, with notable victories for GMs Fabiano Caruana and Vincent Keymer, both of whom had struggled earlier in the event. Caruana, aiming to regain his footing, targeted a weak pawn in his match against GM Awonder Liang, ultimately securing a win that brought him back to a 50% score. Keymer, who had previously drawn six games, also claimed his first victory against van Foreest, albeit through a blunder from his opponent.

While the day saw several draws, the highlight was undoubtedly GM Wesley So’s victory over Caruana, which showcased a brilliant tactical battle. So admitted he was caught in Caruana’s preparation but opted to go all out rather than risk a slow defeat.

The Blitz Begins

As the tournament shifts gears, Praggnanandhaa will face Keymer in the first round of blitz, while Sindarov will take on Levon Aronian, who narrowly escaped defeat in an earlier round. Sindarov, who expressed regret over a missed opportunity against Aronian, remains optimistic about his chances in the blitz format.

With the standings tight and the competition fierce, the next two days promise to be thrilling as the players vie for the top spot in this prestigious event.

As the excitement builds, chess enthusiasts worldwide will be watching closely to see if Praggnanandhaa can maintain his lead or if Sindarov or So will rise to the occasion in the blitz rounds.

Stay tuned for more updates from the 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz!