Sindarov, Nakamura, Praggnanandhaa and Caruana set to clash at Clutch Chess Champions Showdown 2026
R Praggnanandhaa plays his first tournament at Clutch Chess Champions Showdown after 46th FIDE Olympiad 2026.
New champion is guaranteed to be crowned
Clutch Chess Champions Showdown 2026 will feature: World no.2 – GM Hikaru Nakamura (USA), World no.3 – GM Fabiano Caruana (USA), World no.4 and World Championship Challenger – GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) and World no.7 – GM R Praggnanandhaa. It is a 9-round 18-game three double round-robin tournament. Since the winner of the previous edition, World no.1, GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) is not taking part, a new champion is guaranteed to be crowned.
Clutch Chess Showdown 2026 participants (L to R): Fabiano Caruana, Javokhir Sindarov, R Praggnanandhaa and Hikaru Nakamura | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
R Praggnanandhaa drew letter A | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Fabiano Caruana drew letter B | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Javokhir Sindarov drew letter C | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Hikaru Nakamura got letter D | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
The total prize fund is $425000. The top three prizes are $125000, $94000, $72000 and $62000.
Prize details | Source: Tournament Regulations
Javokhir Sindarov with IM Irene Sukandar and IM Eric Rosen | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Javokhir Sindarov with his fans | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Hikaru Nakamura with his fans | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
R Praggnanandhaa with his fan | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Fabiano Caruana poses for a selfie with his fan | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Format
Tournament format | Source: Tournament Regulations
Schedule
Three rounds will be played each day on 27th, 28th and 29th October from 12 p.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST.
Schedule | Source: Tournament Regulations
Watch live stream
Watch Round 1-3 live commentary by GMs Yasser Seirawan & Maurice Ashley, WGM Anastasiya Karlovich, and James Dash | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Links
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