R Praggnanandhaa Opens Sinquefield Cup Account With Victory Over Javokhir Sindarov

Published 12 August 2026 · india

News sports chess R Praggnanandhaa Opens Sinquefield Cup Account With Victory Over Javokhir Sindarov R Praggnanandhaa Opens Sinquefield Cup Account With Victory Over Javokhir Sindarov

News sports chess R Praggnanandhaa Opens Sinquefield Cup Account With Victory Over Javokhir Sindarov R Praggnanandhaa Opens Sinquefield Cup Account With Victory Over Javokhir Sindarov Published By, Last Updated: August 12, 2026, 10:15 IST R Praggnanandhaa wins at Sinquefield Cup, bagging his first win. Five leaders emerge in the Grand Chess Tour event. Rapid Read Indian GM Praggnanandhaa (X) Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa broke through Javokhir Sindarov’s defences in the second round of the Sinquefield Cup in St Louis to bag his first victory of the tournament, the penultimate event of the Grand Chess Tour. The star of the day was Praggnanandhaa all the way as the Indian claimed his point inch-by-inch in the endgame arising out of a queen pawn opening.

Sindarov, who will face world champion D Gukesh in the world championship later this year, entered an equal endgame that should have been enough to bag a draw. But Sindarov hadn’t accounted for Praggnanandhaa’s persistence. The Indian’s resilience paid off as the endgame, which the computer assessed as a draw, turned into a winning position. The game lasted as many as 95 moves. With Praggnanandhaa moving to 1.5 points after two rounds, overnight leader Fabiano Caruana of the United States was the only other player to settle for a draw, against the Netherlands’ Anish Giri. The Dutchman is known for his deep opening preparation and he didn’t disappoint his fans, but Caruana was well armed with his black piece.

After just one decisive result in the opening round, the action intensified in the second, which produced four decisive matches. Levon Aronian of the United States beat Germany’s Vincent Keymer, Wesley So got the better of compatriot Jorden Van Foreest, while France’s consistent performer Maxime Vachier-Lagrave overcame American Samuel Sevian. Five leaders are sharing the top spot on 1.5 points apiece with seven rounds still to be played in the 475000 USD prize money tournament. Americans Fabiano Caruana, Levon Aronian and Wesley So are among the leaders alongside Praggnanandhaa and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, setting up a closely fought battle at the top. Results Round 2: R Praggnanandhaa (1.5, Ind) beat Javokhir Sindarov (0.5, Uzb); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 1.5) beat Savian Samuels (Usa, 0.5); Levon Aronian (Arm, 1.5) beat Vincent Leymer (Ger, 0.5); Wesley So (Usa, 1.5) beat Jorden Van Foreest (Ned, 0) (With PTI Inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: August 12, 2026, 10:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.