GM Antipov Conquers the Saint Louis Masters To Claim the Top Prize
The chess world once again turned its attention to Saint Louis, and the 2026 Saint Louis Masters ended with a thrilling finale. Grandmaster Mikhail Antipov captured the title with 7.5 points from nine rounds, taking home the $25,000 top prize. Antipov stood out for his consistency throughout the event, and he entered the final round level with tournament favorite Fabiano Caruana, giving chess fans an unforgettable finish.
The title race reached its peak in the last round. Antipov and Caruana were tied for first on the same score, and both were playing with the black pieces. Antipov took a critical victory against GM Andy Woodward, making the first decisive move toward the title. Then all eyes turned to Caruana, where drama unfolded: despite obtaining a decisive advantage against GM Francesco Sonis, Caruana failed to convert and had to settle for a draw. That result opened the door for Antipov to take clear first place on his own, while Caruana had to settle for the $15,000 second prize. The fact that there were no ties in the top three places in such a large Swiss-system event gave the tournament an extra distinction.
Another notable name in the tournament was GM Lorenzo Lodici, who finished third. Lodici, who earned $8,000, made an important breakthrough with his win over co-leader GM Vasif Durarbayli in round five. Returning to the classical board after roughly a year away, Durarbayli had made a surprise start and sat in first place after the opening four rounds. But against Lodici, the tactical mistake 14...f5? allowed 15.Ng5!, creating a double attack and ultimately costing him the game. After that loss, Durarbayli made four draws and finished the tournament on 5.5 points.
The chess spectacle in Saint Louis is not over yet. Immediately after this exciting Masters event, the American Cup Blitz tournament will begin on Monday. Then, on Tuesday, March 3 at 21:00 Turkey time (1:00 p.m. EST / 19:00 CET / 11:30 p.m. IST), the 2026 American Cup (Open and Women's) will keep the chess fire burning in St. Louis. Chess fans will continue to witness thrilling battles from top grandmasters in the days ahead.