GCT Finals 2026: Praggnanandhaa and Caruana Reach the Final

Praggnanandhaa R beat Vincent Keymer and Fabiano Caruana beat Wesley So in the 2026 Grand Chess Tour Finals semifinals in St. Louis.

The final of the 2026 Grand Chess Tour Finals is set: Praggnanandhaa R will face Fabiano Caruana. Both won their semifinal matches over three days of classical, rapid and blitz chess in St. Louis.

Praggnanandhaa beat Vincent Keymer 19 points to 9. After a draw in the first classical game, he won the second with White in the Bishop's Opening, which was worth 6 points. He then won both rapid games, including one with Black. That gave him a lead Keymer could not overcome. Keymer fought back strongly in the blitz and won three of the four games, but by then the match was already decided.

The other semifinal was much closer. Fabiano Caruana and Wesley So drew both classical games, so they played a blitz bonus game, a special tiebreak used when both classical games are drawn. Caruana won it. Both rapid games were then drawn, and Caruana won two of the four blitz games while drawing the other two. He won the match 18 to 12.

Keymer's comeback is worth thinking about. He was far behind after the rapid, but he kept fighting and won three blitz games against one of the world's best players. Even when a result looks lost, playing every remaining game properly is a sign of a true competitor. It also helps you improve, because every game you play seriously teaches you something.

Praggnanandhaa's win also shows the value of the slower formats. His single classical win was worth more points than any two blitz wins. Patient, well-prepared play in long games is still the heart of chess.

Wesley So and Vincent Keymer will play a match for third place. The final between Praggnanandhaa and Caruana starts with a classical game, and it is a rematch of their meetings at the Sinquefield Cup and the Saint Louis Rapid earlier this month.