London Chess Classic: Six co-leaders in the open

by André Schulz
12/2/2025 – Alongside the elite tournament, the London Chess Classic also includes a well-attended open event. The world's highest-rated junior player, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, is the favourite and is also in the lead after seven rounds - though not alone. Tied with Pragg on 5½ are Velimir Ivic, Pranav Anand, David Gavrilescu, Daniel Fernandez and Ameet Ghasi. | Photos: London Chess Classic
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Traditional, innovative

The London Chess Classic, with a 15-year history, has by now become a traditional tournament. It is more than just a tournament, since from the outset the event was conceived as a chess festival, with a main tournament and a number of side events in which chess enthusiasts of all playing strengths and all ages are involved.

Moreover, it was the London Chess Classic which, from the very beginning in 2011, took a previously unknown approach to the presentation of the tournament. The organisers in London were then pioneers in live-streaming and live commentary on the internet.

Chief organiser Malcolm Pein

This year, in the elite group, leading English players are once again facing top international GMs and producing interesting encounters. But the B tournament, a well-attended international open that is strong both in depth and in playing strength, also deserves attention.

The number one seed is the world's best under-20 player, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. He would also have headed the seeding list in the elite tournament. However, the dates of the World Cup and the London Chess Classic were very close together. Had Praggnanandhaa reached the final in Goa, playing in London would likely not have been possible. But he was knocked out a little earlier and was therefore still able to register late for the Open. The elite tournament field, of course, had already been finalised.

The field in the Open at the Emirates Stadium in London, the home ground of the football club Arsenal, is strong both numerically and in quality, with just under 120 players, including 26 GMs. All in all, if every title is counted, there are just under 100 titleholders in the lineup.

The Open

The Indian superstar has so far been quite convincing and has demonstrated his class in a number of interesting games, although his opponents did not freeze in awe and were very much willing to put up resistance.

   

But not all of Praggnanandhaa's opponents resigned themselves to defeat, and the Indian also conceded three draws. And some of the other top grandmasters, even if not quite so high in the world rankings, likewise scored good results.

Thus, after seven rounds, six players are in the lead on 5½ points.

Standings after round 7

Rg. Name Pkt.
1 Praggnanandhaa, R 5,5
2 Ivic, Velimir 5,5
3 Pranav, Anand 5,5
4 Gavrilescu, David 5,5
5 Fernandez, Daniel H 5,5
6 Ghasi, Ameet K 5,5
7 Kraemer, Martin 5
8 Smirin, Ilya 5
9 Maze, Sebastien 5
10 Cornette, Matthieu 5
11 Rozen, Eytan 5
12 Fodor, Tamas Jr 5
13 Yuffa, Daniil 4,5
14 Iniyan, P 4,5
15 Jumabayev, Rinat 4,5
16 Sanal, Vahap 4,5
17 Chasin, Nico 4,5
18 Mikhalevski, Victor 4,5
19 Grieve, Harry 4,5
20 Wadsworth, Matthew J 4,5

...119 players

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Topics: London Chess Classic 2025
André Schulz started working for ChessBase in 1991 and is an editor of ChessBase News.
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60m English Anti-Bayonet

King’s Indian fans who choose the Mar del Plata attack (7...Nc6) against White’s classical system (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0) usually aim for a complex position with mutual attacks on open wings, requiring long-term strategic planning and tactical sharpness in critical moments. Computers often do not know how to handle the arising complex strategic positions, which suits players who like to think on their own instead of memorizing long variations. However, the fashionable Bayonet Attack (9.b4) interferes with Black’s ideas. After Black’s main move 9...Nh5 the positions opens, the lines get forced and computer analysis is important again. But this DVD offers an antidote against White’s Bayonet Attack, namely 9...a5! This move leads to sound positions with very few concrete lines, in which the focus is on strategy not on tactics. Objectively chances are equal but if Black knows what to do things might quickly become dangerous for White.