Overview

• A full slate of draws in round five preserved Fabiano Caruana’s sole lead heading into the rest day in St. Louis.
• R. Praggnanandhaa and Levon Aronian remained the closest pursuers after holding draws, staying half a point behind the leader.
• Jan-Krzysztof Duda nearly beat World Champion D Gukesh but missed the precise 27.Bg2 in a wild tactical battle that ended level.
• Caruana’s quiet Symmetrical English against Wesley So, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave’s balanced Rossolimo versus Praggnanandhaa, and a theory-heavy Firouzja–Aronian duel all finished peacefully.
• Sam Sevian drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who has struggled throughout, as the 10-player, $350,000 round-robin resumes with round six on Sunday, August 24, the final classical leg before the Grand Chess Tour Finals.