Grand Chess Tour Finals 2026: Praggnanandhaa books title clash, dominates Keymer

MISSOURI: Indian chess grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa booked his place in Grand Chess Tour (GCT) title clash, prevailing over Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the two rapid games in the semifinals on Monday.

Praggnanandhaa beat Keymer 9-3 in a classical match to start things off, before blanking Keymer 4-0 in two rapid games to take the scoreline to 17-3.

There are four blitz games yet to go, with two points for a win and a point on a draw on offer. But even winning all those games would not make a difference for the German due to sheer weight of points already collected by the Indian star.

PRAGG IS THE FIRST FINALIST!
Praggnanandhaa wins both rapid games against Vincent Keymer and secures his spot in the 2026 Grand Chess Tour Final!
With four blitz games still to play, Pragg has already built an unwatchable lead in the semifinal match and becomes the first… pic.twitter.com/TbxpuE55ev

— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) August 24, 2026

The Indian grandmaster will play either USA’s Wesley So or Fabio Caruana in the final, scheduled for August 25.

Praggnanandhaa, USA’s Wesley So, USA’s Fabiano Caruana and Keymer are four players taking part in the Grand Chess Tour finale from August 22-27. The Grand Chess Tour 2026 is a six-tournament affair, consisting of Super Rapid and Blitz Poland, Super Chess Classic Romania, Super Rapid and Blitz Croatia, St Louis Rapid and Blitz, Sinquefield Cup and finally the Grand Chess Tour Finals.

The Indian Grandmaster was the leading point-getter in the Sinquefield Cup alongside the US’s Wesley So, with 5.5 each. Praggnanandhaa’s excellent performances in the Sinquefield Cup and the win in the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz competition earned him a spot in the GCT Finals.

The top three finishers in the GCT Finals will get invitations to the 2027 Grand Chess Tour. (ANI)