Sindarov Finishes Runner-Up in Saint Louis Rapid

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov finished second in the rapid event at the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2026, the final rapid and blitz tournament of the Grand Chess Tour.

Sindarov scored 11 points after nine rounds, finishing one point behind rapid winner Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa of India. American grandmaster Wesley So placed third with 10 points.

Under the rapid format, a win was worth two points and a draw one point. Sindarov recorded two wins and seven draws, completing the tournament unbeaten.

On the opening day, he drew with Anish Giri and Vincent Keymer before defeating Jorden van Foreest. After three rounds, Sindarov had four points from a possible six and shared second place with Wesley So, one point behind Praggnanandhaa.

On the second day, Sindarov drew with Praggnanandhaa, Levon Aronian and Fabiano Caruana. Against the tournament leader, the Uzbek grandmaster salvaged a difficult position, while his game against Aronian ended in a draw by repetition after he had come close to victory. He remained in second place with seven points after six rounds.

On the final day of the rapid event, Sindarov drew with Giri, defeated American grandmaster Awonder Liang by steadily converting a positional advantage, and closed the tournament with a draw against Keymer.

Despite losing to van Foreest in the final round, Praggnanandhaa retained first place with 12 points. Sindarov finished second on 11 points, while Wesley So secured third place with 10.

Following the rapid event, the tournament continues with the blitz competition, where players will contest 18 games in a double round-robin format. Wins are worth one point and draws half a point.

The Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz is being held from 2 to 6 August and features 10 grandmasters. The total prize fund is US$200,000, with the winner receiving US$50,000.