R Praggnanandhaa Defeats Fabiano Caruana to Become First Indian to Win Grand Chess Tour

New Delhi, August 28: R Praggnanandhaa defeated World No. 2 Fabiano Caruana 15-13 in the Grand Chess Tour final in St. Louis on Thursday to become the first Indian to win the prestigious multi-format chess circuit.

The 21-year-old Chennai player recovered from an early setback to overcome defending champion Caruana and cap a remarkable run of form with another major title.

Caruana, who won the Grand Chess Tour in 2023 and 2025, began the final on a strong note by winning the opening classical game. Praggnanandhaa's rook blunder on the 28th move proved decisive as the American secured a six-point victory.

The Indian bounced back in the second classical game and was in control for long stretches, but an error in judgment allowed Caruana to force a draw after 95 moves. With a classical win worth six points, Caruana held a 9-3 lead heading into the faster formats.

Praggnanandhaa Stages Stunning Comeback

Praggnanandhaa then turned the match around with a superb performance in the rapid section.

He won both rapid games, which carried four points each, moving ahead 11-9 and putting Caruana under immense pressure heading into the blitz games.

The American needed to win the final blitz game to keep his hopes alive, but Praggnanandhaa held firm. He secured a draw through perpetual checks to complete a 15-13 victory and seal a historic Grand Chess Tour triumph.

The title continues an extraordinary month for the Indian star. Just a fortnight earlier, Praggnanandhaa had won the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament, finishing 1.5 points ahead of Javokhir Sindarov, this year's World Championship challenger. He led the tournament across all five days.

His remarkable run had begun at Norway Chess in Oslo, where he claimed the title after defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in Norway's home city.

Carlsen has consistently praised Praggnanandhaa and previously identified him as the player whose style is closest to his own.

A Remarkable Turnaround

Praggnanandhaa's latest achievement is even more significant given the difficult period he endured earlier this year.

At the Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, he struggled badly and finished seventh in an eight-player field.

Since then, however, the Indian has produced a spectacular turnaround. Victories over Carlsen and Caruana, followed by three major titles, have firmly established him among the leading players of his generation.

The Grand Chess Tour triumph is a landmark moment for Indian chess and another indication of Praggnanandhaa's rapid rise. At 21, he has already built a resume filled with victories over the game's biggest names, and his latest success suggests his ascent is far from over.