R Praggnanandhaa wins 2026 Grand Chess Tour Finals

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa won the 2026 Grand Chess Tour Finals in St. Louis, becoming the first Indian to claim the prestigious title. The victory earned him a $200,000 first prize.

Praggnanandhaa staged a significant comeback after trailing Fabiano Caruana by six points following a loss in the opening classical game. After securing a draw in the second classical game to narrow the gap, the Indian grandmaster won both rapid games to take the lead. He ultimately secured the championship with a final score of 15-13 after holding Caruana to an even score in the blitz portion.

In the third-place playoff, American Grandmaster Wesley So defeated Germany’s Vincent Keymer with an 18-12 victory, following a series of rapid and blitz games. The top three finishers from the tournament receive direct invitations to the 2027 Grand Chess Tour.