Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has created history by becoming the first Indian player to win the Grand Chess Tour, completing a stunning 15-13 comeback victory over American star Fabiano Caruana in the 2026 Grand Chess Tour Finals in St. Louis.
Praggnanandhaa entered the final day facing a daunting 3-9 deficit after the classical section. Caruana had won the opening classical game, while the second ended in a draw, leaving the Indian Grandmaster six points behind.
However, Praggnanandhaa produced a spectacular turnaround in the rapid section. He won both rapid games, collecting eight points and transforming the 3-9 deficit into an 11-9 lead heading into the blitz games.
The title battle remained tense in blitz. The opening blitz game ended in a draw before Caruana won the second encounter to bring the overall score level at 12-12.
Praggnanandhaa responded immediately, defeating Caruana in the third blitz game to regain a 14-12 advantage. That meant the Indian needed only a draw from the final game to secure the championship.
In the decisive fourth blitz game, Praggnanandhaa reached a completely winning position but chose the safer route, forcing a draw through repetition and sealing the match 15-13 to claim the biggest Grand Chess Tour title of his career.
The historic victory also earned Praggnanandhaa the $200,000 first prize and a guaranteed place in next year’s Grand Chess Tour. The 2026 GCT Finals carried a total prize fund of $450,000 and featured Praggnanandhaa, Caruana, Wesley So and Vincent Keymer.
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph adds another major achievement to a remarkable season for the Indian chess star and marks a significant milestone for Indian chess on the global stage.
source – FIDE
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