Praggnanandhaa draws Round 1 at Sinquefield Cup 2025 against Sevian
Synopsis
Praggnanandhaa kept his powder dry with a 48-move draw against Sevian in the Sinquefield Cup opener, while Caruana — already the season's dominant force — wasted no time drawing first blood. With USD 4,75,000 on the line and the Grand Chess Tour title race tightening, the Indian will need to shift gears fast.
Key Takeaways
R Praggnanandhaa drew with Samuel Sevian in Round 1 of the Sinquefield Cup on 11 August in St.
The game, played in the Arkhangelsk Variation of the Ruy Lopez , ended after 48 moves with piece exchanges beginning as early as move 11 .
Top seed Fabiano Caruana was the sole winner of the round, defeating Jorden Van Foreest in 55 moves .
The Sinquefield Cup is a 10-player, nine-round event with a prize fund of USD 4,75,000 , and is the penultimate leg of the Grand Chess Tour .
All other first-round games — Sindarov–Aronian, Keymer–So, Giri–Vachier-Lagrave — ended in draws.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa opened his Sinquefield Cup campaign with a solid draw against American Samuel Sevian in the first round of the tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, on 11 August. The result came in the penultimate event of the Grand Chess Tour, a 10-player, nine-round round-robin carrying a total prize fund of USD 4,75,000.
How the Game Unfolded
Praggnanandhaa, playing with the black pieces, navigated the Arkhangelsk Variation of the Ruy Lopez with composure. His preparation appeared sharper than Sevian's, though the American showed little appetite for complications. Piece exchanges began as early as move 11, when a pair of rooks came off the board, steering the game toward a queen-and-minor-piece endgame with two knights apiece.
Once the queens were traded, realistic winning chances evaporated for both sides. The game concluded in a draw after 48 moves, though the players could have agreed to split the point considerably earlier.
Caruana the Sole Winner in Round 1
Top seed Fabiano Caruana was the only player to score a full point in the opening round, defeating Jorden Van Foreest of the Netherlands after 55 moves. Caruana outplayed Van Foreest from an initially balanced position — a middlegame tactical error by the Dutchman cost him a pawn, and Caruana converted the resulting material advantage with characteristic precision. The result reinforces Caruana's status as the standout performer on the Grand Chess Tour this season.
Other Round 1 Results
World championship contender Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan was held to a draw by Levon Aronian. Playing white, Sindarov chose an irregular queen's pawn set-up and appeared to gain an edge when Aronian dropped a pawn, but the resulting opposite-coloured bishops' endgame offered no realistic path to victory.
Vincent Keymer of Germany was unable to break down Wesley So of the United States despite attempting to build a kingside attack. So defended comfortably to secure half a point. Similarly, Anish Giri of the Netherlands and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France battled down to a rook-and-pawns endgame before agreeing to draw.
What's Next for Praggnanandhaa
A draw in the opening round is a measured start for Praggnanandhaa, who will be keen to push for wins as the tournament progresses. With Caruana already setting the pace, the Indian will need to find sharper positions in the rounds ahead to mount a serious challenge in the closing stages of the Grand Chess Tour.
Point of View
But Praggnanandhaa's path at the Sinquefield Cup will be defined by how quickly he can shift from solid to aggressive. Caruana's immediate win is a reminder that the top seed rarely gifts points. The Indian has shown the preparation is there — the question is whether he can find the positions that demand a fight rather than an early peace. In a nine-round field this strong, half-points in the early rounds can quietly close the door on a tournament win.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Praggnanandhaa's Round 1 game at the Sinquefield Cup 2025?
R Praggnanandhaa drew with Samuel Sevian in Round 1 of the Sinquefield Cup 2025 in St. Louis on 11 August. The game lasted 48 moves and was played in the Arkhangelsk Variation of the Ruy Lopez.
Who won the only decisive game in Round 1 of the Sinquefield Cup 2025?
Fabiano Caruana, the top seed, scored the only win of the opening round, defeating Jorden Van Foreest of the Netherlands in 55 moves. Caruana exploited a tactical error by Van Foreest to win a pawn and convert the advantage.
What is the Sinquefield Cup 2025?
The Sinquefield Cup is a 10-player, nine-round round-robin chess tournament held in St. Louis, Missouri, with a total prize fund of USD 4,75,000. It is the penultimate event of the Grand Chess Tour for the 2025 season.
How did other players fare in Round 1 of the Sinquefield Cup?
All other games in Round 1 ended in draws. Javokhir Sindarov drew with Levon Aronian, Vincent Keymer drew with Wesley So, and Anish Giri drew with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
What opening did Praggnanandhaa use against Sevian?
Praggnanandhaa, playing black, used the Arkhangelsk Variation of the Ruy Lopez. His preparation appeared superior, but the game quickly simplified through early exchanges and ended peacefully after 48 moves.
