Wesley So won the Sinquefield Cup for the third time and the second year running: both finalists on 5.5/9, and in the playoff So outlasted Praggnanandhaa — all the way to Armageddon.
So's third Sinquefield Cup title put him in the tournament's history alongside Carlsen and Caruana — three wins each. But this one came hardest: the playoff against Praggnanandhaa went all the way to Armageddon, and in the deciding game Wesley played Black with an extra minute on the clock — a format where nerve often matters more than preparation.
So's style in such moments is his trademark quality: phenomenal practicality. He does not chase beautiful wins; he seeks positions where losing is impossible, and in the Armageddon he chose a Berlin setup with a guaranteed draw for his opponent's White — knowing that a draw would hand him the title. Commentators called it "surgery by the rules": a perfectly studied rule instead of creative risk.
The women's Cairns Cup ran in parallel, won by Tan Zhongyi, adding Asian dominance to the American tournament weekend. For Saint Louis the GCT closing season played to full houses: the club reported record season-ticket sales and announced a hall expansion for next year — the chess centre of the Midwest keeps growing.
Place — Player — Score
| 1 | Wesley So (USA) | Armageddon |
| 2 | Praggnanandhaa (India) | 5½/9 |
What's next. The women’s Cairns Cup ran alongside — won by Tan Zhongyi.
Sources
- FIDE, accessed 07.09.2026
- Saint Louis Chess Club, accessed 07.09.2026
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