Speed Chess Championship 2025

Participants: 16 players.

System: Single-elimination knockout bracket with a consolation match for semifinal losers.

Match Structure

Rounds of 16 & Quarterfinals:

75 min of 5+1

50 min of 3+1

25 min of 1+1

Semifinals, Consolation & Final:

90 min of 5+1

60 min of 3+1

30 min of 1+1

Tiebreaks:

4 additional 1+1 games (first to 2.5 points).

If still tied → Armageddon game (players bid time to play Black; Black wins if drawn).

The Speed Chess Championship 2025 is an elite online blitz and bullet competition organized by Chess.com. The event features the world’s top players competing in a high-stakes knockout tournament, following a qualification phase through the Titled Tuesday Leaderboard. The main event brings together 16 players, including the top eight from the leaderboard and direct invitees, battling for the title in a series of fast-paced matches.