Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa to Compete in St Louis Rapid and Blitz Tournament

Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa is all set to showcase his skills once again as he gears up to compete in the prestigious St Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament. Despite facing a slight dip in recent results, Praggnanandhaa is determined to secure a podium finish in the Grand Chess Tour, with a bonus cash prize of USD 175,000 up for grabs.

Currently standing in third place in the overall tour results, Praggnanandhaa has two upcoming events to improve his position. Following the rapid and blitz tournament, he will also be participating in the Sinquefield Cup alongside fellow Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh.

Leading the pack in the tour standings is last year’s winner Fabiano Caruana, who is on track for another victory with 22.25 points. Alireza Firoujza is close behind in second place with 17.58 points, while Praggnanandhaa trails with 16.25 points. Gukesh is not far behind in fourth place with 14.25 points, but he only has one event left to compete in compared to the top three contenders.

The St Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament will feature top players such as Ian Nepomniachtchi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Nodirbek Abdusattarov, and Wesley So. Additionally, wild card entries include Levon Aronian, Hikaru Nakamura, and Lenier Dominguez, making for an exciting and competitive field.

With a total prize pool of USD 175,000, including a USD 40,000 prize for the winner, the tournament promises high stakes and intense gameplay. Praggnanandhaa’s previous success in the Superbet Classic in Bucharest, where he was a joint winner alongside Caruana, Alireza, and Gukesh, demonstrates his potential to excel in elite chess competitions.

Chess enthusiasts and fans alike can look forward to witnessing Praggnanandhaa’s strategic brilliance and competitive spirit as he vies for victory in the St Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament.