New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa produced a dominant performance to reach the final of the last leg of the Grand Chess Tour in St. Louis, defeating Germany’s Vincent Keymer 19-9 in the semifinal.
Praggnanandhaa entered the final day with a commanding six point advantage after winning the second classical game. With rapid and blitz games scheduled on the concluding day, the Indian quickly strengthened his position.
He defeated Keymer in consecutive rapid games, taking an unassailable 17-3 lead and effectively putting the tie beyond his opponent’s reach. Praggnanandhaa then won the opening blitz game to increase his advantage to 19 points.
Under the tournament format, all scheduled games had to be completed despite the result already being decided. Keymer managed to fight back by winning the final three blitz encounters, but his late surge could not alter the outcome.
Praggnanandhaa will now face American star Fabiano Caruana in the final. Caruana advanced after defeating fellow American Wesley So 18-9, with his strong performance in the blitz section proving decisive.
The final promises to be a major test for Praggnanandhaa, with Caruana entering the contest as the favourite. However, the Indian has shown considerable strength throughout the tournament and will have the opportunity to challenge the American for the title.
The Grand Chess Tour finale carries a total prize fund of USD 450,000. The champion will receive USD 200,000, while the losing finalist will earn USD 125,000.
Meanwhile, Keymer will face Wesley So in the third place playoff. The top three finishers will also earn direct invitations to the following year’s Grand Chess Tour.
With Praggnanandhaa already having eliminated one of the tournament’s leading contenders, attention now turns to the final, where the Indian Grandmaster will look to complete his impressive campaign with another major victory.