Praggnanandhaa scripts history, becomes first Indian to win Grand Chess Tour
PTC News Desk: R Praggnanandhaa made history on Thursday by becoming the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour. The Chennai-based Grandmaster staged a brilliant comeback against defending champion Fabiano Caruana in the final, completing an impressive 2026 season.
Praggnanandhaa started the final day six points behind Caruana, with the score at 3-9 after the Classical games. Speaking after his comeback in Saint Louis, the Indian said he did not expect to have much of a chance at the beginning of the day.
He said beating Caruana once in a day is difficult, but winning twice in the Rapid games proved to be a turning point. Praggnanandhaa also credited his improved Rapid and Blitz performances compared to last year.
The Indian changed the course of the match by winning both Rapid games and taking an 11-9 lead. Caruana then won the second Blitz game after the first ended in a draw, bringing the score to 12-12. Praggnanandhaa quickly regained the lead by winning the third Blitz game.
With just a draw needed in the final game, Praggnanandhaa secured the required result through a threefold repetition, even though he was in a winning position. In their six games in the final, he won three, drew two and lost one.
Praggnanandhaa’s impressive 2026 season
The Grand Chess Tour victory is another major achievement in what has been a remarkable year for Praggnanandhaa. Earlier in 2026, he had a disappointing second appearance in the Candidates tournament. However, he bounced back strongly by winning Norway Chess, where he defeated Magnus Carlsen twice.
He then won the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament and later shared the top spot in the Sinquefield Cup. His latest victory also highlighted how much he has improved in Rapid and Blitz chess.
Praggnanandhaa jokingly said that winning the Candidates would have been nice, but winning a tournament of this level is still a major achievement. He said such a victory requires strong character and the determination to keep fighting until the end.
The Grand Chess Tour title now stands as one of the biggest achievements of Praggnanandhaa’s growing chess career.
- With inputs from agencies
