Praggnanandhaa Shines in Blitz, Increases his Lead at Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026
After Completion of 9 rounds of Blitz at Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026, Praggnanandhaa maintains his lead with 18/27 points. On the 4th day of the tournament, Praggnanandhaa scored 3 wins and drew the remaining 6 games. Javokhir Sindarov is trailing with 16.5/27 points. With just 9 rounds to go on the final day, the championship is wide open, and if Praggnanandhaa can keep the form he is in, he is going to take it home. Photos: Lennart Ootes
Another Amazing Day
Praggnanandhaa had another amazing day; he finished as the highest scorer on Day 4 of the Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz. Coming in with a full-point sole lead from the Rapid, Pragg scored 3 wins in the Blitz today and 6 draws - remaining unbeaten! Praggnanandhaa defeated Vincent Keymer, Jorden van Foreest, and Leinier Dominguez. The only game where Pragg was in trouble was against Javokhir Sindarov - Pragg managed to save a dead lost pawn endgame there.
The Critical Moment
Check out the full game
Standings after Day 1 of Blitz
Replay Day 1 Blitz Games
Venue: Saint Louis Chess Club
The Saint Louis Chess Club stands as the premier global destination for competitive play, anchoring Saint Louis as the “Chess Capital of the United States.” This state-of-the-art facility features a world-class tournament hall designed to accommodate everyone from local enthusiasts to legendary Grandmasters. As a non-profit educational organization, the club serves as the prestigious home for all major U.S. Championship events as well as the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, the Sinquefield Cup, the Cairns Cup and more.
About the 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz
Launching the Grand Chess Tour's final stretch in the Chess Capital of America, the 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz brings ten elite grandmasters to the Saint Louis Chess Club from July 31–August 7. Across five days of play, the field will contest nine rapid rounds and eighteen blitz rounds—135 games in all—with critical Tour Points on the line before the Sinquefield Cup and GCT Grand Finals.
The Field
The 10-player lineup consists of seven full-tour competitors and three wildcards. Full-tour players Fabiano Caruana, Javokhir Sindarov, Vincent Keymer, Wesley So, Anish Giri, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, and Jorden van Foreest are joined by wildcards Leinier Dominguez, Levon Aronian, and Awonder Liang.
Prize Fund
The total prize fund for the event is $200,000, with $50,000 awarded to first place. Full-tour players also compete for Tour Points that help determine qualification for the 2026 GCT Grand Finals.
How to Watch
Follow every round with professional commentary led by Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan on the Saint Louis Chess Club's YouTube channel and on Twitch. For spectators in Saint Louis, day passes include standing-room tournament hall access, live Grandmaster commentary, and complimentary food, snacks, and beverages.
Format
The tournament combines two fast-paced disciplines: a 9-round single round-robin Rapid tournament (played at a time control of 25 minutes plus a 10-second increment from move one) and an 18-round double round-robin Blitz tournament (played at 5 minutes plus a 2-second increment from move one). Rapid wins count for 2 points and draws for 1 point, while Blitz wins count for 1 point and draws for ½ point.
Important Links
Grand Chess Tour: Official Site, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Photo Gallery
Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz: Official Site, Tickets, Results and Standings
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