A double rook sacrifice in the Pirc Defense!

Recognising commitment!

Sunday, October 19th, 2025

In a thrilling final round, Anish Giri’s win secured him a clear first place in the Open Section, with the second Candidates ticket decided on tiebreaks and clinched by Matthias Bluebaum, followed by Alireza Firouzja. In the Women’s section, Vaishali Rameshbabu and Kateryna Lagno drawing their games secured them the Candidates spots as first and second respectively, with Bibisara Assaubayeva claiming the third place.

Five players, namely, GM Matthias Blübaum, GM Alireza Firouzja, GM Anish Giri, GM Hans Moke Niemann, and GM Vincent Keymer, are on 7/10 ahead of tomorrow’s final round. In the Women’s, GM Vaishali Rameshbabu is back in the joint lead with GM Kateryna Lagno, with three players close behind on 7/10: GM Tan Zhongyi, IM Song Yuxin, and GM Bibisara Assaubayeva.