World Chess Champion D Gukesh returns to his forte in classical chess at the Sinquefield Cup, starting Monday, joined by fellow Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, who aims to bolster his fifth-place standing in the Grand Chess Tour (GCT). The elite ten-player round-robin tournament, hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club, marks the fifth and final leg of the 2025 GCT, offering a $350,000 prize pool and a chance to qualify for the grand finale in São Paulo.

Despite the absence of world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, who has distanced himself from classical chess, the field remains formidable. American GMs Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, and Sam Sevian, alongside France’s Alireza Firouzja and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, pose significant challenges. Aronian, 42, is in top form after winning Freestyle Chess in Las Vegas and the St. Louis Rapid & Blitz, while Vachier-Lagrave is a consistent threat.

Gukesh, 19, with a FIDE rating of 2776 and ranked world No. 6, excels in classical formats, though his recent rapid and blitz performances have been less dominant. Praggnanandhaa, 20, world No. 7 with a 2779 rating, has secured a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, positioning him as a potential challenger for Gukesh’s world title. Both Indians are set to compete in the Grand Swiss in Uzbekistan next month, signaling their ambition.

Also Read: 19-Year-Old Chess Genius Shocks 38-Year-Old Legend in All-Indian Final!

The Sinquefield Cup’s nine rounds will test consistency, with Praggnanandhaa holding a slight edge over Gukesh in the GCT standings. A highly anticipated clash between the two Indians occurred in round three, ending in a draw after Gukesh survived a tough endgame against Praggnanandhaa’s Catalan opening. With a strong field and high stakes, the tournament promises intense battles as Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa vie for supremacy.

Also Read: Indian Teen Stuns Chess World: Praggnanandhaa Crushes Carlsen Again