Praggnanandhaa is running away with Saint Louis. After six rounds of rapid and blitz, he's banked 9 points out of 12, opening a two-point gap over Sindarov. That's the kind of cushion that matters in a short tournament where the field is stacked.
The Indian 22-year-old hasn't just played well. He's played better than everyone else, which is the only thing that counts. Sindarov trails in second at 7 points, meaning Praggnanandhaa has already separated himself from a competitive field.
Saint Louis draws the world's fastest players into one room. The rapid and blitz format punishes hesitation and rewards preparation plus calculation speed, two areas where Praggnanandhaa has improved dramatically over the last two years. His ascent has been steady but undeniable.
Two points is substantial but not insurmountable. The tournament still has rounds remaining, and blitz especially can produce wild swings. One player gets hot, another cracks under time pressure, and suddenly the leaderboard shifts. But right now, Praggnanandhaa controls his own destiny. He's playing chess at a level the others haven't matched so far.
If he holds, this becomes another trophy in a year where the young Indian has made noise at every level. If he falters, Sindarov and the rest of the field suddenly have oxygen.