Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa added another major milestone to his career by winning the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament, part of the prestigious Grand Chess Tour (GCT), in the United States. The 20-year-old secured the title with one round remaining after drawing against Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov in the penultimate round.

Praggnanandhaa finished the tournament with 23 points out of a possible 35, ending 1.5 points ahead of the second-placed player to claim his first-ever Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz title.

Dominant Performance Throughout the Tournament

The Indian star maintained his lead from the rapid section and carried the momentum into the blitz rounds. His consistent performances ensured he built an unassailable advantage before the final round, making the last game irrelevant to the championship outcome.

ChessBase India Confirms Historic Achievement

ChessBase India announced Praggnanandhaa's victory on social media, confirming that it marked his maiden Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz title. Winning the tournament before the final round underlined his dominance against a field featuring some of the world's strongest grandmasters.

Another Major Title in a Dream Year

The Saint Louis triumph continues Praggnanandhaa's remarkable run in 2026. Earlier in June, he won the Norway Chess title by defeating Germany's Vincent Keymer in the final round. He secured that prestigious crown after registering four consecutive classical victories.

Honoured by Tamil Nadu Government

Following his Norway Chess success, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay felicitated Praggnanandhaa at the Secretariat in Chennai. The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) awarded him a ₹50 lakh cash prize in recognition of his achievement. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister also played a few chess moves with the young champion.

A Chess Prodigy from Chennai

Born on August 10, 2005, in Chennai, Praggnanandhaa became a Grandmaster in 2018 at the age of 12 years, 10 months, and 13 days, making him India's youngest Grandmaster at the time and the world's second-youngest. His sister, R Vaishali, is also a Grandmaster and an accomplished international player.

Grand Chess Tour Success

The Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz is one of the marquee events on the Grand Chess Tour, featuring elite players from around the globe. With this victory, Praggnanandhaa has strengthened his reputation as one of the brightest stars in world chess and added another prestigious international title to his growing list of achievements.