Vladimir Fedoseev dominates Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2025, Praggnanandhaa third
Shahid Ahmed·2 min read
Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) scored 26.5/36 to win Grand Chess Tour Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2025 with three rounds to spare. He remained undefeated in Rapid, posted one of the highest scores ever in GCT and suffered only one loss against Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) in Blitz Round 12. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) made a strong comeback on the final day by scoring 7/9, total 21.5/36 to secure second place. R Praggnanandhaa scored 5/9 on the second day of Blitz to finish third with a total score of 20.5/36. The top three prizes were US$ 40000, 30000 and 25000. The next event of the series is Superbet Chess Classic which will take place at Grand Hotel Bucharest in Bucharest, Romania from 7th to 16th May. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Wild Card Fedoseev wins with three rounds to spare
Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) has been a top player for a really long time. This dominating performance of his does not come as a surprise. He was tied first at World Rapid 2017 with Vishy Anand. In the tie-breaks, Anand defeated Fedoseev to become the World Rapid champion. In World Rapid 2023, Fedoseev once again finished second. Although this time, tie-breaks were not needed.
Champion - GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) 26.5/36 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Closing ceremony and interview with Vladimir Fedoseev | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Runner-up - GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) 21.5/36 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
3rd - GM R Praggnanandhaa 20.5/36 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Vladimir Fedoseev relaxing | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Blitz Round 18 in progress | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
The Ultimate Fighter - IM Lukasz Nowak (POL) was awarded 40000 PLN | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Replay live stream
Replay Blitz Round 10-18 live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India
Schedule and Format
Superbet Rapid and Blitz will have three rounds per day in the Rapid portion from 26th to 28th April. The Blitz event will take place on 29th and 30th April. It will be a double round-robin event for the Blitz which means nine rounds will be played on each day. Round 1 starts at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. It will be a 10-player Round Robin event. Time control for Rapid will be 25 minutes + 10 seconds increment.
Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2025 schedule | Photo: Grand Chess Tour
Prize
The total prize fund for each of the Rapid and Blitz event is US$ 175000. The top three prizes are US$ 40000, $30000 and $25000.
Replay Blitz Round 10-18 games
Final standings after Blitz Round 18
Vladimir Fedoseev scored 26.5/36 to win the tournament with three rounds to spare | Photo: Grand Chess Tour
Grand Chess Tour standings
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is leading the GCT with 10 points as Vladimir Fedoseev was a wild card | Photo: Grand Chess Tour
