Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa continued his stellar 2026 campaign by winning the Grand Chess Tour St. Louis Rapid & Blitz title with one round remaining.
The 20-year-old secured the championship after drawing his penultimate-round game against Javokhir Sindarov, finishing with an impressive 23 out of 35 points.
Praggnanandhaa ended the tournament 1.5 points clear of the chasing pack, underlining his consistency throughout the event and claiming his first Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz crown.
Title Secured Before Final Round
The Indian chess star needed only a draw against Sindarov in the penultimate round to mathematically seal the title. His dominant performance ensured that none of his closest rivals could overtake him heading into the final round.
ChessBase India celebrated the achievement on social media, noting that Praggnanandhaa became the Grand Chess Tour St. Louis Rapid & Blitz champion with a round to spare. The platform also highlighted that this was the young Grandmaster’s first Rapid & Blitz tournament victory on the prestigious circuit.
Another Major Achievement in a Memorable Year
The latest triumph adds to an already remarkable season for Praggnanandhaa. In June 2026, he created history by winning the Norway Chess 2026 title in Oslo after defeating Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the final round.
Praggnanandhaa’s title-winning campaign in Norway included four consecutive classical victories, helping him complete a stunning comeback and capture one of the most prestigious trophies in international chess.
Honoured by Tamil Nadu Government
Following his Norway Chess success, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay felicitated the Grandmaster at the Chief Secretariat in Chennai. On behalf of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister presented Praggnanandhaa with a cash reward of ₹50 lakh in recognition of his outstanding achievement.
The ceremony also featured a friendly game of chess between the Chief Minister and the 20-year-old champion.
Indian Chess Continues to Shine
Praggnanandhaa’s latest title further strengthens India’s growing presence in world chess. His consistent performances across elite international tournaments have established him as one of the sport’s brightest young stars and a leading contender in major global competitions.
With victories at both Norway Chess 2026 and the Grand Chess Tour St. Louis Rapid & Blitz, Praggnanandhaa has enjoyed one of the most successful seasons of his career.
