Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Praggnanandhaa Stages Comeback for First Indian Grand Chess Tour Win
Praggnanandhaa won the Grand Chess Tour in St. Louis.
He beat Fabiano Caruana, who was the defending champion.
At first, Praggnanandhaa was six points behind after the Classical games.
He then won both Rapid games and moved ahead.
The first Blitz game was a draw after both players made mistakes during a time scramble.
Caruana won the next Blitz game and tied the score at 12-12.
Praggnanandhaa stayed focused and eventually won the match 15-13.
He became the first Indian player to win this chess competition and received $200,000.
R Praggnanandhaa defeated defending champion Fabiano Caruana 15-13 in the Grand Chess Tour final.
The victory made Praggnanandhaa the first Indian player to win the Grand Chess Tour.
He recovered from a 3-9 deficit after the Classical games by winning both Rapid games.
Caruana won the second Blitz game after the first ended in a draw, briefly leveling the match at 12-12.
Praggnanandhaa won $200,000, while Wesley So defeated Vincent Keymer 18-12 for third place.
- Who
- Indian grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu defeated Fabiano Caruana of the United States.
- What
- Praggnanandhaa won his maiden Grand Chess Tour Finals title, becoming the first Indian player to win the tour.
- When
- The final concluded on Thursday local time; one report referred to the achievement on Friday.
- Where
- St. Louis, United States.
- Why
- He overcame a six-point deficit by winning both Rapid games and securing an overall 15-13 victory.
- Final score
- Praggnanandhaa defeated Caruana 15-13.
- Classical score
- Praggnanandhaa trailed 3-9 after losing the first game 6-0 and drawing the second 3-3.
- Rapid result
- Praggnanandhaa won both Rapid games and took an 11-9 lead.
- Blitz result
- The first Blitz game was drawn, and Caruana won the second; reports describe the match as level at 12-12 at that stage.
- Prize money
- Praggnanandhaa won $200,000.
- Historic achievement
- He became the first Indian player to win the Grand Chess Tour.
- Third-place match
- Wesley So defeated Vincent Keymer 18-12 after winning all four Blitz games.
- Qualification route
- Performances in the Sinquefield Cup and Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz helped Praggnanandhaa reach the Finals.
Sources
'Seeds were sown much earlier': Vidit on Praggnanandhaa's rise
Praggnanandhaa makes history, becomes first Indian to win Grand Chess Tour title
Praggnanandhaa Scripts History With Grand Chess Tour Crown
Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa becomes first Indian player to win Grand Chess Tour title, beating Fabiano Caruana of United States in final - Telegraph India
Praggnanandhaa Scripts History, Stages Stunning Comeback Against Fabiano Caruana To Become First Indian To Win Grand Chess Tour Title | Video
Praggnanandhaa makes history, becomes first Indian to win Grand Chess Tour
Praggnanandhaa Seals Maiden Grand Chess Tour Title
R Praggnanandhaa makes history, becomes India's first Grand Chess Tour winner