The 2025 Grand Chess Tour opened on Saturday with the first three rounds of rapid chess at the Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland, taking place at the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw. A balanced field of experienced and young players provided a lively start to the event, which combines rapid and blitz formats. Russian-born grandmaster Vladimir Fedoseev, who now represents Slovenia, emerged as the sole leader after the first day. Fedoseev scored two wins and one draw, collecting 5 points under the Grand Chess Tour's rapid-chess scoring system (2 points for a win, 1 for a draw). He began with a draw against Alireza Firouzja before defeating David Gavrilescu and Polish star Jan-Krzysztof Duda.
One point behind Fedoseev are Grand Chess Tour defending champion Alireza Firouzja and Indian prodigy Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, each with 4 points. Praggnanandhaa had taken an early lead after winning his first two games - convincingly beating Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and then prevailing in a sharp battle against his compatriot Aravindh Chithambaram. However, his momentum was halted in round three by Bogdan-Daniel Deac. The Romanian grandmaster, despite frequently falling into deep time trouble (à la Alexander Grischuk or Ray Robson), managed to upset the then tournament leader. Deac is part of a four-player group currently on 3/6 points, which also includes Duda, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday.
As for 50-year-old Veselin Topalov, the former FIDE world champion had a slow start with back-to-back losses - however, he recovered in round three, defeating Vachier-Lagrave with the black pieces after a 54-move battle. Three more rounds of rapid chess will be played on Sunday as the tournament continues in Poland's capital.
Fedoseev's strong performance on day one was highlighted by his ability to capitalize on his opponents' mistakes. After drawing his first match against Firouzja, who is known for his tactical prowess, Fedoseev went on to defeat Gavrilescu in just 18 moves. His victory against Duda was particularly notable as it came on the Polish grandmaster's birthday. "What could I do—it’s my job!" said Fedoseev, reflecting on the challenge of playing against a local hero.
Firouzja, the defending champion and a favorite to win, had a rollercoaster day. He managed to escape a potential loss against Fedoseev but struggled in subsequent matches. "It was a very bad day for me. The level of play was really not good," Firouzja admitted, noting that it was his first day of competition in two to three months. He was able to secure a draw against Gavrilescu after a tense finish.
Praggnanandhaa started strong, winning his first two games but faced a setback against Deac. The Indian grandmaster had been leading the tournament after round two but lost the momentum in his third match. "I was feeling good after winning the first two, but the loss was disappointing," he said after the match. Deac's ability to manage his time effectively, despite his reputation for time trouble, played a crucial role in the upset.
In a tournament that celebrates its 10th anniversary, the Grand Chess Tour continues to attract top talent from around the world. The rapid chess format consists of three days of rapid chess (25+10) followed by two days of blitz (5+2). The prize pool for this year's event is a staggering $175,000, with $40,000 earmarked for the first-place winner.
The absence of Magnus Carlsen, the winner in 2023 and 2024, adds an intriguing twist to this year's competition. Carlsen will participate as a wildcard in Croatia later this year. Meanwhile, Kirill Shevchenko, who scored a remarkable 6/6 on day one in 2024, is temporarily banned from chess after admitting to phone use during games. The Romanian sponsors have instead invited local stars like Deac and national champion Gavrilescu.
As the tournament unfolds, fans are eager to see how the players adapt to the pressure of the Grand Chess Tour. The competition is fierce, and with only a few rounds completed, anything can happen. Players like Duda, who has consistently performed well in previous years, will be looking to capitalize on any mistakes made by their opponents.
Looking ahead to day two, the excitement is palpable as the players prepare for another round of intense competition. With three more rounds of rapid chess scheduled for Sunday, the standings could shift dramatically. Each player will be keen to secure as many points as possible to improve their chances of claiming the top prize.
As the chess world tunes in to follow the action, the stage is set for a thrilling continuation of the tournament. The live broadcast features expert commentary from renowned figures in the chess community, including GM Yasser Seirawan and GM Peter Svidler, who will provide insights into the players' strategies and performances.
The 2025 Grand Chess Tour promises to be a memorable event, showcasing the best of chess talent in a vibrant setting. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, fans can expect a series of thrilling matches that will keep them on the edge of their seats.
