Praggnanandhaa becomes first Indian to win Grand Chess Tour title
Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa has become the first Indian player to win the Grand Chess Tour title, defeating Fabiano Caruana of the United States in the grand finale in St. Louis, U.S. He made a remarkable comeback after trailing Caruana, ultimately winning 15-13 and securing a $200,000 prize.
Why it matters
This victory is a significant achievement for Indian chess, elevating Praggnanandhaa's status on the global stage and inspiring a new generation of chess players in India, while also highlighting the growing prominence of Indian talent in international sports.
Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian player to win the Grand Chess Tour title, beating Fabiano Caruana of United States in the grand finale at St. Louis, U.S.
Mr. Praggnanandhaa made a remarkable turnaround on Thursday (August 28, 2026) after trailing Caruana at the start of day.
The Indian eventually prevailed over Caruana 15-13 to win his maiden GCT title and pocket $200,000 as the winning purse.
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