Samarkand: Anish Giri and Vaishali Rameshbabu emerged victorious at the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss, each earning a coveted place in their respective Candidates Tournaments after a dramatic conclusion to the prestigious event.
Giri Seals Victory In The Open Section
Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri clinched the title in the Open Grand Swiss with a decisive final-round win over Hans Niemann, finishing with a commanding 8/11 score. The victory secured him the top prize of US$90,000 and a berth in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, where he will compete for a chance to challenge for the world championship.
German Grandmaster Matthias Bluebaum also secured a Candidates spot, edging out competitors on tie-breaks after drawing with Alireza Firouzja in the final round.
Vaishali Triumphs In Women’s Grand Swiss
India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu successfully defended her Women’s Grand Swiss title, drawing with former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi to finish tied with Kateryna Lagno on 8/11. Vaishali’s superior tie-breaks crowned her champion, while Lagno also qualified for the Women’s Candidates.
The victory continues Vaishali’s meteoric rise, marking another milestone in what has already been a historic year for Indian chess.
Prize Funds And Tournament Format
The 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss featured two 11-round Swiss tournaments:
Open section: 114 players, total prize fund of US$625,000
Women’s section: 66 players, total prize fund of US$230,000
The top two finishers in the Open and top two in the Women’s event secured coveted invitations to the 2026 Candidates Tournaments, the penultimate stage in the world championship cycle.
A Tournament Of High Stakes And Drama
Held from September 4–15 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the Grand Swiss brought together elite players and rising stars. The final day saw intense battles as players fought for qualification, with tie-break calculations ultimately deciding Bluebaum’s and Vaishali’s fates.
With the Candidates lineup now expanding, the chess world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in the race for the world title.
Discussion about this post