R Praggnanandhaa|Image Credit: Michał Walusza
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa clinched his maiden Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title in emphatic style, sealing the champion with a round to spare here.
The 20-year-old completed with 23.5 points, conveniently ahead of Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan, among the competitors for the world champion cycle.
Not losing any video games on the last day of the last quick and blitz in the Grand Chess trip, Praggnanandhaa leapt to 2nd area in the GCT which practically ensures a location in the grand ending set up later on this year. The Indian will simply need to maintain his type in the last competition of the season which will be played under Classical system.
After winning the quick area with a limited lead versus Sindarov, Pragg lost just one video game in the blitz and scored the requisite triumphes to wind up with 11.5 explain of a possible 18.
Sindarov, who was routing Praggnanandhaa by a complete point after the quick area, needed to be content with the 2nd area on 22 points whereas Wesley So of United States came 3rd, scoring 20 points in general.
Praggnanandhaa leapt to 2nd area in the general GCT rankings following his accomplishment and much would depend upon how he carries out in the last competition slated to begin on the weekend.
The withdrawal of Alireza Firoujza of France from the GCT has actually affected favorably on the only Indian in the trip. Firoujza pointed out some scheduling concerns ahead of the last 2 occasions and his whole points made so far were eliminated based on the pre-agreement.
Praggnanandhaa will need to view it out in the Classical occasion that begins on Sunday and if he winds up in leading 3 it will be another excellent outcome for the Indian who won the Norway Classic ahead of Magnus Carlsen previously this year.
Last standing: 1. R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 23.5); 2. Javokhir SIndarov (Uzb, 22); 3. Wesley So (Usa, 20.5); 4: Levon Aronian (Usa, 19) 5-7. Fabiano Caruana (Usa); Lenier Dominguez Perez (Usa), Jorden Van Foreest (Ned) 17 each; 8. Anish Giri (Ned, 15.5); 9. Vincent Keymer (Ger, 14.5) 10. Awonder Leong (Usa, 14).
Released on August 7, 2026
