3 weeks ago
Praggnanandhaa Survives Sindarov Scare, Keeps Saint Louis Lead
Praggnanandhaa is a chess player from India.
He was playing in a big chess tournament in Saint Louis.
A player from Uzbekistan named Javokhir Sindarov was trying very hard to beat him.
Sindarov chased Praggnanandhaa for four whole days.
On Thursday, Sindarov finally had a position where he was winning.
But with just one second left on his clock, he made a big mistake and moved his king backwards.
That mistake turned his certain win into a draw.
Because of the slip-up, Praggnanandhaa stayed in first place.
He is the leader of both the blitz part and the whole tournament.
Praggnanandhaa says his plan for the final day is simple: just don't lose.
Javokhir Sindarov blundered with 43.Kf4? while having just one second left on his clock, turning a certain win into a draw against R. Praggnanandhaa.
The collapse came after Sindarov had reached a winning pawn endgame, having found the strong move 41...c5 against Praggnanandhaa.
Praggnanandhaa finished Day 1 of the Blitz section unbeaten with three wins and six draws, earning six points from nine rounds.
Praggnanandhaa leads the overall tournament with 18 points from 18 rounds, ahead of Sindarov on 16.5 and Wesley So on 15.
Praggnanandhaa, who already won the Rapid section and recently claimed the Norway Chess title, faces nine more Blitz rounds with the plan to 'just don't lose.'
- Who
- R. Praggnanandhaa of India and Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan
- What
- Sindarov blundered from a winning position, allowing Praggnanandhaa to escape with a draw and remain the leader of the Blitz event and the overall tournament
- Where
- Saint Louis, at the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz
- When
- Thursday, on Day 1 of the Blitz section of the 2026 event
- Why
- Sindarov played 43.Kf4? with just one second left on his clock, instantly throwing away his winning chances in the pawn endgame
Key facts
- Event
- 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz
- Decisive blunder
- 43.Kf4? by Sindarov with one second left on the clock
- Blitz Day 1 result
- Praggnanandhaa six points from nine rounds (three wins, six draws)
- Overall standings
- Praggnanandhaa 18 points; Sindarov 16.5; Wesley So 15
- Rapid section
- Won by Praggnanandhaa
- Sindarov's comment
- "I saw I'm winning with any move."
- Remaining games
- Nine more Blitz rounds on the final day
- Praggnanandhaa's strategy
- "Just don't lose."
Quotes
Javokhir Sindarov
Uzbek chess grandmaster and world championship contender
“"I saw I’m winning with any move."”
indianexpress.com
“"Just don’t lose."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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