R Praggnanandhaa wins Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz championship

Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa won his first Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title at the Grand Chess Tour event, finishing with 23.5 points. The 20-year-old secured the championship with a round to spare, earning $50,000 and moving into second place in the overall Grand Chess Tour standings.

Praggnanandhaa built his lead by topping the rapid section with 12 points, followed by a strong performance in the blitz segment where he lost only one game. The win also propelled him into the world's top 10 rapid rankings for the first time.

Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov finished in second place with 22 points, earning $40,000, while American Wesley So took third with 20.5 points. The victory sets the stage for the Sinquefield Cup, the final classical event of the Grand Chess Tour season, which begins on August 10.