D Gukesh is poised for a major return to classical chess as he headlines the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis, the fifth leg of the Grand Chess Tour. The nine-round event kicks off on Monday and features a star-studded field with a $350,000 prize pool, underscoring the tournament’s status as a marquee battle on the world stage.
While Gukesh has been turning heads in faster formats, this event will test him where he has long been strongest. Fans will be watching to see if the World Champion can recapture his classical edge against a lineup that includes some of the sport’s brightest talents. The field is headlined by Fabiano Caruana, Alireza Firouzja, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Levon Aronian, with Aronian in particularly strong form after consecutive titles at recent Las Vegas Freestyle events and the St. Louis Rapid & Blitz.
Praggnanandhaa, another Indian rising star, will also compete, arriving with momentum after earning a spot in next year’s Candidates Tournament. The pair’s resurgence highlights India’s growing influence in top-tier chess, even as World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen opts out of classical play for now. The Sinquefield Cup remains a key stop on the Grand Chess Tour, where consistent results can pave the way to the tour’s grand finale later in the year.
Both Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa are targeting podium finishes to improve their standings within the tour, and the duo’s performances will be watched closely as they prepare for broader commitments, including the Grand Swiss in Uzbekistan next month. The absence of Carlsen alters the dynamics, but the competition remains intensely fierce, with veterans and rising stars alike eager to prove they belong at chess’s highest level.
In St. Louis, fans can anticipate bold openings, dramatic finishes, and a renewed glimpse into the evolving landscape of elite chess, highlighted by the strategic depth of classical play and the ongoing rise of India’s young champions. Summary: D Gukesh returns to classical chess at the Sinquefield Cup, contending with a top-tier field in a high-stakes nine-round battle that could shape the Grand Chess Tour standings and set the stage for future showdowns across formats. Positive note: the resurgence of young talent in classical chess bodes well for the sport’s future.