Asian Championship 2025: Daneshvar Bardiya and Song Yuxin crowned champions
Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan (right) and Mongolian Chess Federation President Gombojav Zandanshatar (left) award medals to the top three placers, champion GM Bardiya Daneshvar of Iran, runner-up GM Nihal Sarin of India and third placer Shamsiddin Vokhidov of Uzbekistan GM Daneshvar Bardiya (Iran) and IM Song Yuxin (China) emerged as the winners of the 2025 Asian Chess Championship. Both the Open and Women’s competitions—nine-round Swiss tournaments—took place from May 6–15 at the Danat Resort Hotel in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, bringing together over 250 players from 38 countries. In the Open tournament, it was a tight race until Round 6, when 12th seed Daneshvar Bardiya seized the lead and never looked back. After a crucial victory over Abhimanyu Puranik of India in the penultimate round, he entered the final round with a score of 7/8, a full point ahead of his closest competitors. Mongolian Chess Federation President Gombojav Zandanshatar made the ceremonial first move in the game between Nihal Sarin and Daneshvar Bardiya, assisted by Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher and Organizing Committee Executive Director IM Sami Khader. Despite losing in the final round to top seed Nihal Sarin, who caught up to him with 7/9, Daneshvar claimed gold thanks to the superior average rating of his opponents. Sarin took silver, while Shamsiddin Vokhidov secured the bronze, edging out five players (all with 6.5/9) on tiebreaks. Final Standings – Open: The Women’s section was an even more tightly contested tournament, with as many as seven players vying for gold going into the final round. Vantika Agrawal (India) defeated leader Bat-Erdene Mungunzul (Mongolia) to catch up at the top. Meanwhile, IM Song Yuxin (China) crushed the French Defense of IM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova (Uzbekistan) in just 32 moves. WGM Xeniya Balabayeva (Kazakhstan) also pulled off an important win over Munguntuul Batkhuyag. As a result, four players tied for first place. Song Yuxin captured the title based on the highest average rating of her opponents. Using the same tiebreaker, Mungunzul and Balabayeva claimed silver and bronze, respectively. Final Standings – Women: The closing ceremony featured ACF President Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan, who extended heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the success of this prestigious event—including organizing committees, technical teams, administrative staff, and volunteers. He also congratulated all the winners and those who qualified for the FIDE World Cup, wishing them the best as ambassadors of Asia on the world stage. Sheikh Sultan took the opportunity to announce the signing of an agreement between the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club and the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to launch the FIDE Al Ain ACMG Academy. This global academy aims to elevate chess worldwide, nurture talent across all continents, and provide world-class training under top international coaches, following best practices and global standards. Services will be delivered in ten languages. Photos: Asian Chess Federation Official website: asianchess.com/
Tickets for the 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championships go on sale
Get ready for an exhilarating week of chess at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championships, happening in London from June 10–16! Hosted at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith, this event brings together nearly 60 teams from around the globe, featuring top grandmasters, rising stars, and passionate amateurs. Experience the thrill of fast-paced games, where brilliant tactics, unexpected blunders, and intense time scrambles keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Emotions run high as players race against the clock, making split-second decisions that could change the game’s outcome. What makes this championship unique is its team format. Each team comprises 6 to 9 players, including at least one female player and one recreational player (rated below 2000 Elo), promoting inclusivity and diversity in the competition. Teams can represent clubs, federations, cities, universities, or even be formed by friends coming together for the love of the game. With that, the roster is headlined by super teams led by your favourite super grandmasters – from Hikaru Nakamura to Vishy Anand. The tournament kicks off with the Rapid competition from June 11–13, featuring a 12-round Swiss format with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move. Following that, the Blitz tournament takes place on June 14–15, introducing a two-stage structure: a round-robin pool stage and an exciting knockout phase for the top 16 teams, with games played at 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. Flexible ticket options starting at £30: There are a variety of ticket options available to suit different preferences and budgets. Whether you’re interested in catching a single rapid round, immersing yourself in a full day of matches, experiencing the entire event, or enjoying premium amenities with hospitality passes, there’s something for everyone. Additionally, exclusive passes to the closing party offer a chance to celebrate with players and fellow fans. To explore all the ticket options and secure your spot at this exciting event, visit tickets.fide.com For more details about the event, visit the official website: worldrapidblitzteams2025.fide.com