Praggnanandhaa Scripts History, Stages Stunning Comeback Against Fabiano Caruana To Become First Indian To Win Grand Chess Tour Title | Video
· Free Press Journal

St. Louis: Indian grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu staged a stunning comeback against GM Fabiano Caruana to win the final match and claim his maiden Grand Chess Tour Finals title, along with the $200,000 first prize on Thursday (local time) in St.Louis.
PRAGGNANANDHAA IS THE 2026 GRAND CHESS TOUR CHAMPION! ♟️
Congratulations to Praggnanandhaa on winning his first-ever Grand Chess Tour title!
Pragg defeats Fabiano Caruana in a thrilling final match to cap off an incredible season and claim the GCT crown for the first time… pic.twitter.com/joROgGaOxHVisit somethingsdifferent.biz for more information.
— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) August 27, 2026
With this win, Praggnanandhaa scripted history, becoming the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour, as per Chess.com.
The Indian grandmaster began the day six points behind Caruana but quickly turned the match around, winning both rapid games to take the lead. He then held Caruana to an even score in blitz, securing the title by a final score of 15-13.
Pragg wins the third blitz game and takes the lead!
— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) August 27, 2026
Fabiano Caruana now faces a must-win final game to keep the match alive, while Praggnanandhaa needs only a draw to secure the 2026 GCT Finals title!
It all comes down to the final game!#grandchesstour #GCTfinals pic.twitter.com/T0qp2fWIZQ
In the first blitz game, Praggnanandhaa had winning chances but blundered in a time scramble. His position quickly deteriorated, but Caruana failed to capitalise, and the game ultimately ended in a draw.
GM Wesley So also staged a comeback in the third-place match against GM Vincent Keymer.
From Chess Prodigy to Grand Chess Tour Champion!
— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) August 27, 2026
Photos by Lennart Ootes/ Grand Chess Tour#Grandchesstour #Praggnanandhaa #vishyanand #gctfinals pic.twitter.com/atiIx1FSWS
The two players traded wins in the rapid portion, but So dominated the blitz, winning all four games to clinch the match with a game to spare. He finished with an 18-12 victory.
Earlier, Praggnanandhaa secured a draw in his second classical game on Wednesday, but his opponent Caruana enjoyed a six points lead.
Grand Chess Tour Finals 2026: Day 6 | Praggnanandhaa vs. Caruana | Rapid & Blitz https://t.co/PQ6qCXS8FB
— Saint Louis Chess Club (@STLChessClub) August 27, 2026
The young Indian grand master had lost his first classical game to Caruana 6-0, but managed a draw in the second classical game, 3-3.
(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)