Praggnanandhaa leads after rapid phase at St. Louis, blitz next
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has taken the lead in the rapid section of the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament with 12 points. He now prepares for the upcoming 18-game blitz segment, which will determine the overall winner of the $200,000 prize pool.
Why it matters
This event is a critical component of the Grand Chess Tour, and a strong performance here is essential for players aiming to qualify for the tour finals later this year.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa topped the rapid section of the St. Louis Rapid and blitz, scoring 12 points out of a possible 18 to keep his hopes alive for a place in the Grand Chess Tour (GCT) finals to be held later this year.
The Indian, who is no longer a part of 2026 World Championship, displayed some immaculate technique, precision and the will to win in the rapid section that spanned over nine rounds in this annual edition that is a part of professional chess for several years now.
Praggnanandhaa lost the ninth and final round in the rapid section to Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest but still managed to retain a one-point lead, finishing ahead of Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov, who will challenge D. Gukesh in the World Championship title showdown later this year.
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