Caruana secured his spot in the final after defeating Armenian Levon Aronian in a tightly contested semifinal decided by the smallest of margins. “In a tough battle, a single mistake can cost everything,” said Caruana after his victory.
On the other side of the bracket, MVL triumphed in a dramatic clash against Indian prodigy Praggnanandhaa to earn his place in the grand final. “I’m happy and hungry for more,” said the Frenchman.
Friday’s decisive showdown will be contested in Rapid and Blitz formats, promising a dynamic and high-intensity duel between two of the world’s strongest players.
Beyond the title match, the battle for third place will feature Aronian against Praggnanandhaa. This matchup carries extra weight: the winner will automatically secure qualification for the 2026 GCT season, making the São Paulo playoff even more decisive.
The Grand Chess Tour finals are being held in South America for the first time, supported by the Superbet Foundation and the Saint Louis Chess Club. The event is organized by the City of São Paulo, in partnership with Xeque & Mate and JNTO.
More information: grandchesstour.org
- Venue: WTC Events Center (Access via orange elevator)
- Address: Av. das Nações Unidas, 12551 – Brooklin Novo – São Paulo/SP
Grand Chess Tour
The Grand Chess Tour is a circuit of international events that brings together the highest level of organization for the world’s best players. Legendary Garry Kasparov, one of chess’s greatest ambassadors, inspired the creation of the Grand Chess Tour and helped establish partnerships among its organizers. More information: grandchesstour.org.
Superbet Foundation
The Superbet Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Superbet Group, supports health, education, and sports—essential pillars for community well-being and progress. The foundation develops a wide range of programs and initiatives worldwide, with a special focus on chess, promoting inclusion and connecting people of all ages and backgrounds.
Saint Louis Chess Club
The Saint Louis Chess Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making chess an essential part of the community. In addition to hosting tournaments and casual games, the club offers advanced training, beginner courses, and special lectures. Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the club supports existing school programs and encourages the creation of new ones, both during and after school hours. More information: saintlouischessclub.org.
Source: GMB
