GCT Finals: Praggnanandhaa KOs Keymer, set to face Caruana in the Finals

By admin August 25, 2026 0 comments

R Praggnanandhaa won the Semifinals by 19-9 against Vincent Keymer to advance to the Finals of Grand Chess Tour 2026 Finals. Fabiano Caruana defeated Wesley So by 18-12 to secure the other place in Finals.

Praggnanandhaa prevails in Classical and Rapid, Caruana too strong in Blitz

R Praggnanandhaa drew the first Classical game against Vincent Keymer (GER). He won the second game. Thus, winning the Classical segment 9-3. Praggnanandhaa won both Rapid games, scoring 8-0. In Blitz, Praggnanandhaa won the first game and lost the next three. Thus, the Blitz segment score went in favor of Keymer 2-6. However, Praggnanandhaa’s Classical and Rapid performance helped him to win the Semifinal by 19-9.

Fabiano Caruana (USA) and Wesley So (USA) drew both Classical games. Caruana won the bonus Blitz game. They drew both Rapid games. Caruana won two Blitz games and drew the other two. Thus, winning the Semifinal by 6-2.

R Praggnanandhaa defeated Vincent Keymer (GER) 19-9 in the Semifinals | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Fabiano Caruana (USA) won the Semifinal 18-12 against Wesley So (USA) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Bonus Blitz (After Classical Game 2): Fabiano Caruana – Wesley So | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Semifinals Blitz 3: Fabiano Caruana – Wesley So | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay live stream

Replay Semifinal Classical Game 1 live commentary by GMs Yasser Seirawan, Peter Svidler, Maurice Ashley, and IMs Nazi Paikidze and Irene Sukandar | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Semifinal Classical Game 2 and Bonus Blitz live commentary by GMs Yasser Seirawan, Peter Svidler, Maurice Ashley, and IMs Nazi Paikidze and Irene Sukandar | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Semifinal Rapid and Blitz live commentary by GMs Yasser Seirawan, Peter Svidler, Maurice Ashley, and IMs Nazi Paikidze and Irene Sukandar | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay all Semifinal games

Schedule and Format

There will be one round per day from 10th to 19th August. Rest day is on 15th August. Round 1 starts at 12 p.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. It will be a 10-player Round Robin event. Time control will be 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.