Praggnanandhaa Wins 2026 Grand Chess Tour, So Clinches 3rd
Indian grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu secured his first Grand Chess Tour title in 2026 after a dramatic comeback against Fabiano Caruana. The victory earned him over $400,000 in total series winnings and qualified him for the 2027 tour.
Why it matters
The event marks a significant milestone in professional chess, showcasing the increasing competitiveness and popularity of the Grand Chess Tour.
22 | Chess Event Coverage GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu came back from behind to win the final match against GM Fabiano Caruana and claim his maiden title in the 2026 Grand Chess Tour Finals , which comes with $200,000. The Indian grandmaster started the day six points behind, but took the lead when he won both rapid games. From there, an even score in blitz left him two points ahead, with a final score of 15-13.
GM Wesley So also came back in the match for third place against GM Vincent Keymer . The pair traded wins in the rapid portion, but So won all four blitz games, clinching the title with a game to spare. The final score was 18-12.
The top three players qualify directly to the 2027 Grand Chess Tour. That's Praggnanandhaa, Caruana, and So.
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