Sindarov and So tied for second place
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu emerged as the sole leader after the opening day of the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, scoring five points from a possible six across the first three rapid rounds. Javokhir Sindarov and Wesley So are one point behind, while the rest of the field already faces a larger deficit.
The rapid section consists of nine rounds, with wins worth two points and draws one. Praggnanandhaa was the only player to collect two victories and a draw on Sunday, while Sindarov and So each registered one win and two draws.
Praggnanandhaa began with a draw against Leinier Dominguez before defeating Levon Aronian in the second round. The Indian grandmaster then completed his day by beating Fabiano Caruana, last year’s runner-up, with the black pieces. In a French Defence, Pragg initially had less space but gradually improved the coordination of his pieces and took control after finding counterplay in the centre.
He maintained his advantage and converted without serious difficulty.
The result represented a considerably stronger start than Praggnanandhaa’s previous appearance in Saint Louis. On his tournament debut in 2024, he finished last and scored 4 points from 9 games in the rapid section, with every one of his games ending decisively. His unbeaten opening day this year has already put him in a favourable position before the remaining six rapid rounds.
Fabiano Caruana facing Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Aronian and So shared the early lead after the opening round. Aronian defeated Jorden van Foreest after the Dutchman sacrificed an exchange but was unable to generate sufficient compensation. His position deteriorated as the game progressed, leaving Aronian with a material advantage that he converted.
The Armenian-born grandmaster returned to an even score after losing to Praggnanandhaa in round two.
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The inimitable Levon Aronian | Photo: Lennart Ootes
So also made an unbeaten start, scoring 4 points. He had black in each of his first two games and employed the Berlin Defence on both occasions. His victory came against Awonder Liang in the first round, whom he pressed in an endgame with the bishop pair.
During the ensuing time scramble, Liang lost his e-pawn and failed to obtain enough activity in return.
Awonder Liang versus Wesley So | Photo: Austin Fuller
Sindarov joined So on 4 points after drawing his first two games and defeating Van Foreest in round three. The Uzbek grandmaster let winning chances slip against Anish Giri in the opening round and later survived a difficult position against Vincent Keymer. Against Van Foreest, he converted an opposite-coloured bishop ending with rooks still on the board, inflicting a second defeat of the day on the Dutch player.
Praggnanandhaa will have White in two of Monday’s three games. His first opponent will be Sindarov, one of the two players currently closest to him in the standings.
The Saint Louis event, which runs from 2 to 6 August, is the first of the final three competitions on the 2026 Grand Chess Tour calendar, ahead of the Sinquefield Cup and the season-ending Grand Chess Tour Finals later in the month.
World Championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov | Photo: Lennart Ootes
A great-looking shot of Jorden van Foreest and Levon Aronian analysing their game – which featured an interesting exchange sacrifice out of the opening | Photo: Austin Fuller