Praggnanandhaa scripts history, seals maiden Grand Chess Tour Finals crown

Indian chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu has achieved a historic milestone by winning his maiden Grand Chess Tour Finals title in St. Louis. The young Grandmaster staged a dramatic comeback against his formidable opponent, Fabiano Caruana, to clinch the championship and the substantial $200,000 first prize.

After beginning the final day trailing Caruana by six points, Praggnanandhaa displayed exceptional skill and resilience. He turned the match around by winning both rapid games, seizing the lead. The tension escalated during the blitz portion, where Praggnanandhaa managed to hold Caruana to an even score, ultimately securing his historic victory with a final score of 15-13.

This triumph marks a significant moment for Indian chess, as Praggnanandhaa becomes the first Indian player to win the prestigious Grand Chess Tour. His performance is a testament to his rapidly growing prowess on the international chess stage.

In the third-place match, GM Wesley So also mounted a comeback against GM Vincent Keymer. After trading wins in the rapid games, So dominated the blitz, winning all four games to secure a 18-12 victory with a game to spare. Earlier in the tournament, Praggnanandhaa had secured a draw in his second classical game against Caruana after losing the first, setting the stage for his remarkable comeback in the faster time controls.