D Gukesh Shines on Final Day to Secure Fourth in St. Louis Rapid
Indian GM D Gukesh outfoxed Fabiano Caruana in their encounter at the St. Louis chess event.
Gukesh’s Late Surge in St. Louis
Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh delivered an impressive final-day comeback to secure fourth place in the rapid section of the St. Louis Grand Chess Tour. The 18-year-old, who began Wednesday in sixth position, climbed the standings with 10 points, thanks to two crucial victories over elite opponents Wesley So and tournament leader Fabiano Caruana.
His final-day run capped off a thrilling rapid segment and sets the stage for the upcoming blitz section, where Gukesh hopes to continue his momentum.
A Rocky Start, Then a Resilient Comeback
The day began with disappointment for Gukesh as he suffered a loss to Leinier Dominguez. But instead of letting that setback derail his performance, he rallied brilliantly.
First, he outplayed Wesley So, a former world blitz champion known for his solid and defensive style. Gukesh’s sharp middlegame tactics and precision in the endgame secured the win.
Then came the highlight of the day — a stunning victory over Fabiano Caruana, the American world No. 2 and leader of the standings.
Beating the Leader — and Making It Four in a Row
Caruana entered the game with a comfortable lead and an early advantage on the board. For much of the match, it seemed Gukesh was on the defensive. But the young Indian found creative resources, including a critical rook maneuver that shifted the balance in his favor.
This was not only Caruana’s only loss in the rapid section, but also Gukesh’s fourth consecutive win against him in their head-to-head encounters.
“For a long time, it was just about surviving,” Gukesh admitted afterward. “It could have been a horrible day, but it turned out to be good. I’m happy I got my rook to that position — it was the turning point.”
Rapid Section Standings
The final leaderboard after the rapid rounds was as follows:
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1st: Fabiano Caruana — 14 points
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2nd: Levon Aronian — 13 points
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3rd: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave — 11 points
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4th: D Gukesh — 10 points
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T-5th: Leinier Dominguez, Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov — 9 points
Gukesh’s climb from sixth to fourth on the last day underscores his ability to perform under pressure against the world’s best.
Looking Ahead to the Blitz
The St. Louis Grand Chess Tour now shifts to the blitz section, where Gukesh will face the same field in a faster time control. The Chennai-born star sees it as an opportunity to build on his performance and recover from his earlier disappointment at the Zagreb Rapid and Blitz, where he fell short of expectations.
“It’s a chance to prove myself,” Gukesh said. “I want to carry this momentum into the blitz.”
A Rising Force in Global Chess
Still only 18, Gukesh has already built a reputation as one of the most fearless young talents in world chess. His aggressive yet adaptable style has brought him notable wins against top-tier opponents, and his ability to bounce back after early losses shows mental toughness beyond his years.
His latest victory over Caruana reinforces the notion that Gukesh is more than capable of challenging the very best, not just in classical formats but also in rapid and blitz play.
Why This Matters
While Caruana remains the favorite to win the overall St. Louis Grand Chess Tour event, Gukesh’s performance sends a clear message ahead of future tournaments — including the upcoming FIDE Grand Swiss and Candidates cycle events. Strong showings in these formats could help cement his place among the elite, potentially opening doors to a World Championship challenge in the coming years.
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