R Praggnanandhaa Leads Rapid Section at St. Louis, Eyes Grand Chess Tour Finals Spot
St. Louis: R Praggnanandhaa Shines in Rapid Section, Eyes Grand Chess Tour Finals
In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa topped the rapid section of the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament, amassing an impressive 12 points out of a possible 18. This performance keeps his hopes alive for a coveted spot in the Grand Chess Tour (GCT) finals later this year.
The young prodigy, who recently exited the race for the 2026 World Championship, showcased his exceptional technique and determination throughout the nine rounds of the rapid section. Despite a setback in the final round, where he faced a loss against Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest, Praggnanandhaa maintained a narrow one-point lead over Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov, who is gearing up to challenge D. Gukesh for the World Championship title later this year.
The GCT’s last rapid and blitz event is far from over, with 18 more blitz games set to unfold before the champion is crowned. The tournament boasts a substantial prize pool of USD 200,000, with USD 50,000 earmarked for the winner. Had Praggnanandhaa secured victory against van Foreest, he would have entered the blitz section with a more comfortable lead—an advantage that could prove crucial in his quest for the overall title.
Praggnanandhaa’s journey through the rapid section included four wins, each worth two points, and four draws, solidifying his position at the top despite the solitary loss in the final round. As he shifts his focus to the blitz segment, where each win carries one point, the competition remains fierce. Sindarov trails closely with 11 points, while American Grandmaster Wesley So also stands at 11 points, creating a tightly contested race.
The leaderboard is further crowded by a quartet of players—Levon Aronian, Anish Giri, Leinier Dominguez Perez, and Vincent Keymer—each with nine points, all eager to capitalize on any slip-ups in the fast-paced blitz format. Keymer, in particular, has shown the ability to surprise opponents when in form, adding an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming games.
Following the round-robin blitz event, participants will gear up for the prestigious Sinquefield Cup, a classical chess tournament that promises to showcase the best in the game.
Final Standings After Rapid Section:
- R Praggnanandhaa (India) – 12 points
- Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan) – 11 points
- Wesley So (USA) – 11 points
4-7. Levon Aronian (USA), Leinier Dominguez Perez (USA), Anish Giri (Netherlands), Vincent Keymer (Germany) – 9 points each
8-9. Fabiano Caruana (USA), Jorden van Foreest (Netherlands) – 8 points each - Awonder Liang (USA) – 5 points
As the excitement builds for the blitz segment, all eyes will be on Praggnanandhaa as he aims to secure his place in chess history.