Heading towards the final round of the European Individual Chess Championship 2025, we have a joint lead by GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP, 2654) and GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER, 2643)!
GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP, 2654) defeated GM Aryan Tari (NOR, 2621) with White pieces today after a very complex game. Opting for an unusual opening, Yuffa and Tari entered a blocked position where the Spanish Grandmaster sacrificed an exchange to get rid of Tari’s active pieces. He consolidated quite fast and took the edge, eventually transposing to a winning endgame which he converted into a win.
Playing on the top board, GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER, 2643) drew with Blacks against GM Gabriel Sargissian (ARM, 2628). Bluebaum had no issues to equalize and accepted a draw after some simplifications that led to a very solid middlegame.
The final round will determine the Winner of the event, and the leading duo is followed by seven players who tie for third place with 7.5 points each: GM Maxim Rodshtein (ISR, 2623), GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM, 2666), GM Gabriel Sargissian (ARM, 2628), GM Frederik Svane (GER, 2654), GM Nijat Abasov (AZE, 2612), GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (TUR, 2605) and GM Gergely Kantor (HUN, 2563).
Today’s round was opened by special guests: five-time World Chess Champion GM Viswanathan Anand and Head of the Economic Department of the Dutch Embassy in Romania Mrs. Janette Verrizjer.
The distinguished guests addressed the players and then made the first ceremonial moves. Mr. Viswanathan Anand played the first move on the top board game between GM Gabriel Sargissian and GM Matthias Bluebaum, while Mrs. Janette Verrizjer played the ceremonial move in the game between GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and GM Jorden Van Foreest.
Shortly after the start of the round, GM Viswanathan Anand joined us in the live studio, and analyzed the games with our hosts GM Alojzije Jankovic and WIM Lena Miladinovic. A very dynamical day in the studio concluded after plenty of interviews, including ones with GM Maksim Chigaev, GM Nijat Abasov, and GM Frederik Svane.
The final round starts tomorrow at 14:00 (local time), and live broadcast of the games with commentaries by GM Alojzije Jankovic and WIM Sandra Djukic can be followed through the ECU TV platform or ECU YouTube channel.
All results, rankings & pairings
Photos by David Llada
.