Praggnanandhaa Leads St. Louis Rapid; Blitz Phase Up Next

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa moved into the lead at the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz after topping the rapid section with 12 points out of a possible 18, keeping his hopes alive of making the Grand Chess Tour (GCT) finals later this year. The annual event now shifts into its decisive second half, with 18 blitz games still to be played before the overall winner is determined from the USD 200,000 prize pool, including USD 50,000 for the champion.

Praggnanandhaa’s rapid campaign ended with a setback in round nine, where he lost to Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest. Even so, the Indian retained a one-point advantage at the top of the standings, putting him in the best position heading into the faster blitz segment where every win is worth one point.

Rapid section: 12 points and a narrow cushion

The rapid portion of the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz spanned nine rounds, and Praggnanandhaa’s consistency across the event proved decisive. He finished with four wins and four draws, with his only loss coming in the ninth and final round against van Foreest. Those results were enough to keep him alone at the top on 12 points.

That closing-round defeat, however, mattered in the context of what comes next. The report noted that had Praggnanandhaa beaten van Foreest, he would have carried a more comfortable lead into blitz—an advantage that could have been crucial in the overall title chase given how quickly standings can swing in the one-point-per-win format.

Behind Praggnanandhaa, Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov sits second on 11 points, ensuring the lead remains under immediate threat as the event transitions into blitz. Sindarov’s proximity at just one point back means the top spot is far from secure, and the next 18 games will decide whether Praggnanandhaa can convert his rapid success into an overall tournament win.

Wesley So of the United States is third after the rapid section on 10 points. A tightly packed group follows on nine points apiece: Levon Aronian (United States), Anish Giri (Holland), Leinier Dominguez Perez (Cuban-turned-American), and Vincent Keymer (Germany). With so many players within striking distance, the blitz phase sets up as a multi-player race rather than a two-man duel.

The report also highlighted Keymer as another player capable of making a major impact in the faster time control when in form, adding to the list of contenders who could pressure the leader as the points reset to a different rhythm in blitz.

What changes in blitz

While the rapid section awards two points for a win, the blitz segment uses a one-point-per-win system. That shift can compress gaps quickly and makes every individual game significant, particularly with 18 blitz games still on the schedule. For Praggnanandhaa, the task is straightforward: protect the narrow lead he earned in rapid and keep pace with the closest challengers as the event moves into its final stretch.

What’s next in St. Louis: 18 blitz games, then the Sinquefield Cup

The St. Louis Rapid and Blitz is not decided by the rapid standings alone. With 18 blitz games remaining, the overall winner will be determined only after the full rapid-and-blitz format is completed. Praggnanandhaa now turns his attention to that blitz segment, where the one-point wins can quickly reshape the leaderboard.

Beyond this event, the report noted that the 10-player round-robin will be followed by the Sinquefield Cup, which will be played in the Classical format. For now, though, the immediate focus is on whether Praggnanandhaa can maintain his advantage through the blitz portion and strengthen his push toward a place in the GCT finals later this year.