Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Praggnanandhaa Bounces Back, Crushes Van Foreest at Sinquefield Cup
Some of the best chess players in the world are playing a big tournament called the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis, United States.
Ten players take part, and each one plays a game against the others.
In the fourth round, Praggnanandhaa, a chess star from India, won his game against Jorden Van Foreest from the Netherlands.
He played a King pawn opening and was already on the way to winning by move 12.
His opponent lost his queen, the most powerful piece, and got only weaker pieces in return.
This win was extra special because Praggnanandhaa had lost the round before.
It was the only game of the day that didn't end in a tie — the other four games finished as draws.
Praggnanandhaa now has 2.5 points, just behind the leader, Wesley So from the United States, who has 3 points.
If Praggnanandhaa finishes near the top, he can earn a spot in the final event of the Grand Chess Tour.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa beat Jorden Van Foreest of the Netherlands in round four, bouncing back from his previous-round loss to Vincent Keymer of Germany.
The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 2.5 points from four games in the 10-player, nine-round event, giving him a share of second place.
It was the lone decisive game of the day; the other four games, including Wesley So's draw with Levon Aronian, ended in draws.
Praggnanandhaa won with a King pawn game and was already on the path to victory by move 12, as Van Foreest lost his queen for a rook and a minor piece.
With five rounds remaining, Wesley So (USA) leads on three points, while Praggnanandhaa, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Levon Aronian trail on 2.5 points each.
- Who
- Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, who defeated Jorden Van Foreest of the Netherlands in round four; Wesley So of the United States remains the tournament leader.
- What
- Praggnanandhaa won the only decisive game of the day, reaching 2.5 points to share second place, while Wesley So drew with Levon Aronian, Fabiano Caruana drew with Sevian Samuel (listed as Savian Samuels in the results), Anish Giri drew with Javokhir Sindarov, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave drew with Vincent Keymer.
- When
- Round four of the nine-round Sinquefield Cup (the articles do not state a specific date).
- Where
- St. Louis, United States.
- Why
- The comeback victory boosts Praggnanandhaa's chances of a podium finish to qualify for the finale of the Grand Chess Tour.
- Event
- Sinquefield Cup (Grand Chess Tour)
- Round
- 4 of 9
- Location
- St. Louis, United States
- Winner of the day
- R Praggnanandhaa (India)
- Opponent
- Jorden Van Foreest (Netherlands)
- Praggnanandhaa's score
- 2.5 points from 4 games
- Tournament leader
- Wesley So (3 points)
- Prize money
- USD 475,000
