Vincent Keymer victorious at GCT Super Chess Classic 2026

By admin May 24, 2026 0 comments

Vincent Keymer defeated Jorden van Foreest in the final round to win Grand Chess Tour Super Chess Classic 2026. This is his first tournament triumph in a Classical event as a full tour partcipant of Grand Chess Tour 2026, in his debut.

Caruana misses a great opportunity

“Yeah, I still haven’t fully gathered what has actually happened. Of course it’s been an amazing event for me with quite a big blow in the middle but overall, I am very happy with both result and also my performance. I managed to win all my white games. I guess by far the biggest Classical tournament victory ever for me and starting like that in the Grand Chess Tour is of course an amazing feeling.” – Vincent Keymer shared his thoughts on winning the tournament.

“Basically the rule I set was prepare less, focus on having enough mental energy and everything for the big fights that are there because I was sure like Fabi with white is certainly going to push and no matter what, the last one will be very important. So it was clear that two very tough games will be ahead still.” – Keymer on bouncing back after his loss against Javokhir Sindarov in Round 7.

“You can guess that Fabi doesn’t have too great chance of winning the game with black (pieces). I’m not the kind of player that says, ‘Okay, I will make a draw and that’s it.’ I just cannot. If that would have meant that I lost the game then so be it. Even for me it will be a big difference whether I fight and make a draw or just try to make a draw. So I just try to approach this game as I would have any other as well. Of course in mind that you don’t need the absolute craziness but nevertheless I was trying to push and I think yeah, he was also playing for something. Him, having lost the game yesterday, he basically needed to win if he wants to have any say in the tournament victory. So, of course, he was also inclined to fight and I think he must have missed something around the middlegame which gave me a big edge.” – Keymer on the last round.

Vincent Keymer won US$ 100000 for winning the tournament and $31250, his share of $125000 Classical win bonus. Next event is Super Rapid and Blitz in Zagreb, Croatia from 29th June to 6th July 2026.

Champion – Vincent Keymer (GER) 6/9 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Interview with Vincent Keymer | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Keymer – Jorden: 1-0

Vincent Keymer (GER, 2759) and Jorden van Foreest (NED, 2735) played seven Classical rated games. Jorden won three, all of them with the white pieces and the remaining four ended in draws. Keymer was in a virtual must-win situation if he wanted to win the tournament.

Position after 16.Nd5

15…Qa5?! was a questionable choice. 16.Nd5+- landed Black in quite a bit of pickle. 16…Qxa4 17.Bxd4 exd4 18.Nb6 Qc6 19.Nxa8 Qc5 20.Qb4 Qh5 21.Qxe7 Bxh3 22.gxh3 Qxh3 23.Qg5 Rxa8 24.Qg3 and White went to convert his advantage into a win comfortably.

The final handshake between Vincent Keymer (GER) and Jorden van Foreest (NED) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

The moment: Vincent Keymer wins and hounded for autographs | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

MVL – Caruana

Position after 24.Bc3

Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2788) got a real opportunity against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA, 2717) in the above position. 24…c5 25.Qxb7+ Qxb7 26.Ba5+ Qb6 would have been winning for Black. Caruana could have forced Playoffs but he missed it when he opted for 24..Bc8? The window of opportunity was shut and the game meandered into a draw.

Fabiano Caruana (USA) could not seize his opportunity against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Anish Giri (NED) – R Praggnanandhaa: 0.5-0.5| Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) – Wesley So (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Players, organizers and sponsors | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

GM Florin Gheorghiu (ROU), made the ceremonial first move of Round 9 on Vincent Keymer and Jorden van Foreest’s board | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

A delighted Vincent Keymer | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Vincent Keymer with his fans | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Vincent Keymer flanked by his trainer GM Peter Leko and Vincent’s father | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Interview with Vincent Keymer | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

What Has Vincent Keymer Changed to become World #4? | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Round 9 live stream

Replay Round 9 live commentary by GMs Yasser Seirawan, Peter Svidler, & Cristian Chirila, IMs Nazi Paikidze & Irene Sukandar, and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Round 9 games

Schedule and Format

Super Chess Classic will have one round per day from 14th to 23rd May. Rest day is on Tuesday 19th May. Each round starts at 4 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST, except the last round which starts at 2 p.m. local time, 4:30 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.