Praggnanandhaa Clinches Grand Chess Tour Finals in St Louis, Claiming Record $200,000 Prize

Indian grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu defeated the United States’ Fabiano Caruana by a score of 15-13 to win the Grand Chess Tour Finals in St Louis on Thursday night, earning a record $200,000 first prize. The 21-year-old, currently ranked World No. 12, captured his second major title of the summer, having previously triumphed at Norway Chess in Oslo.

A Mixed-Format Victory

The Grand Chess Tour Finals featured a combination of classical, rapid and blitz games, with Praggnanandhaa ultimately prevailing over Caruana, the World No. 2, by a narrow two-point margin. The format and the closely contested scoreline underscored the competitive depth of the season-ending event on the international circuit.

Record Prize and Rising Form

The $200,000 winner’s cheque represents an increase from the $150,000 first prize offered in 2025, marking a new benchmark for the tournament. The victory adds to a breakout summer for the young Indian, who has established himself among the elite of the chess world at a remarkably early age.

Sinquefield Cup Result

In a related development, American grandmaster Wesley So, ranked World No. 6, won the prestigious Sinquefield Cup for the second consecutive year, earning more than $100,000. Notably, So’s path to the title featured a sequence of nine straight draws, yet he still finished atop the standings to retain the trophy.

Final Result Summary

• Event: Grand Chess Tour Finals (Classical/Rapid/Blitz)
• Winner: Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (World No. 12)
• Runner-up: Fabiano Caruana (World No. 2)
• Final Score: 15-13
• First Prize: $200,000
• Location: St Louis

With the Grand Chess Tour Finals concluded, attention now turns to the next stage of the international calendar, as players regroup following a memorable summer of elite competition.

Source

This report is based on information published by The Guardian — Chess.

Official source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/28/chess-praggnanandhaa-takes-200000-grand-tour-finals-after-so-wins-sinquefield-cup