Masters: Aronian and Erdogmus the top scorers in Sunday's blitz tournament

Following Sunday's blitz tournament – the third discipline – in the Masters Triathlon, the lowest-ranked players were eliminated, and only the top four qualified for the final stage.

The ten rounds of blitz played on Sunday – each game granted one point per win – did not result in any significant changes to the standings in the Masters. The two players who entered the tournament in the last places, Matthias Bluebaum and Jose Martinez, were unable to improve their positions, as they proved to be the weakest players in the blitz as well. Consequently, the quartet which were already in the lead have qualified for the final stage, where they will play one classical game against one another.

The Bulletproof 1.b3 Repertoire

This compact course is designed specifically for practical play. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, it focuses on the critical lines, typical plans, and recurring tactical ideas.
Looking for an opening that gets your opponents thinking on move one? Grandmaster Andy Woodward has relied on 1.b3 for years in blitz and bullet, using it to defeat strong masters and grandmasters who underestimated its hidden venom. While many players dismiss the opening as harmless, they often find themselves caught in unfamiliar positions, tactical traps, and uncomfortable middlegames. This compact course is designed specifically for practical play. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, it focuses on the critical lines, typical plans, and recurring tactical ideas that matter most when the clock is ticking.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: King's Indian Setup

Much like in the rapid event, Levon Aronian proved to be the strongest player in the blitz discipline, winning 8½ out of a possible 10 points – a strong performance from the veteran! Aronian has thus managed to extend his lead slightly, taking his tally to 25 points and now sitting 4 points ahead of Aydin Suleymanli. Behind them is Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, who achieved the second-best result in the blitz and drew level with Le Quang Liem; both now have 19½ points.

There are only 5½ points separating first and fourth place. With a maximum of 12 points still up for grabs, the race for the 2026 Biel title remains wide open, though Aronian currently holds the advantage.

Aydin Suleymanli

Le Quang Liem

Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus

Final standings - Blitz

Current standings

All blitz games - Masters

All classical games - Masters

Generations Challenge: Kosteniuk finishes the blitz half a point short from qualification

The younger generation came out on top in the Generations Challenge: the three teenagers in the field have qualified for the final stage. Xiao Tong, Vaclav Finek and Marco Materia were also the three strongest players in the blitz section and have further extended their lead in the overall standings. Whilst Finek and Xiao were the favourites for this tournament according to their Elo ratings, this was less clear-cut in the case of Materia, at least on paper.

Mastering Calculation - Think Clearly, Calculate Precisely, Improve Consistently

Chess is a concrete game. There is no way around training your calculation skills. Improve your visualization, pattern recognition and learn calculation techniques such as reciprocal thinking with this course.
Calculation is at the heart of practical chess. Every chess concept builds on proper calculation technique. Therefore, all chess players should continuosly train the fundamental techniques, concepts and patterns this course will present. The goal isn't only to teach you to calculate, but to give you the tools and insights to keep improving long after the final lesson.
Free sample video: Introduction

Free sample video: Quiet Moves

To qualify for the final stage in fourth place, either Alexandra Kosteniuk or Carissa Yip had to ensure today that their deficit to the leader did not exceed 12 points - if there is no longer any chance of catching the leader in the final stage, the player in fourth place is also eliminated. Former women's world champion Kosteniuk scored 5½ points in the blitz, but this ultimately fell half a point short, as she trails leader Finek by 12½ points. She was thus eliminated by the narrowest of margins.

Yip was less fortunate in the competition: she failed to get into her stride in the blitz and thus was no longer in contention for fourth place. Sunday also marked the end of the tournament for Vaishali Rameshbabu. The Indian player, who is set to challenge the reigning world champion Ju Wenjun for the Women's World Championship title later this year, is likely already focusing her thoughts on that title match.

Vaclav Finek

Marco Materia

Xiao Tong

Final standings - Blitz

Current standings

All blitz games - Generations Challenge

All classical games - Generations Challenge

MTO: Gloeckler and Savitha tied for first place

The younger generation is really putting the seasoned grandmasters under pressure in the Masters Open tournament: after the sixth round, two international masters (IMs) – Christian Gloeckler and Savitha Shri B - are at the top of the table, whilst the grandmasters competing in the tournament are trailing behind.

How to Avoid Mistakes and Boost Your Winning Rate

Doesn’t every chess game get decided by mistakes? Absolutely. But most players never truly comprehend that they are making the same kind of mistakes over and over again.

Gloeckler, born in 2011, defeated the former leader, GM Peter Acs, on board one on Saturday, proving once again that he is well on his way to the grandmaster title. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Savitha prevailed in the all-Indian junior clash against WFM Yasawi Krishna Bommi and, like Gloeckler, now has 5 points after six rounds.

Nine players are trailing by half a point, including IM Fabian Bänizger, the top Swiss player in the tournament, who drew with WGM Xeniya Balabayeva. GM Sasikiran Krishnan suffered another defeat today against the American prodigy CM Ling Chenxuan, born in 2014.

On Sunday, the Masters Open took a day off. Round seven takes place on Monday.

Savitha Shri B

Christian Gloeckler

Current standings - MTO

...94 players

All available games - MTO

Triathlons: Masters and Generations Challenge

Understanding Material Imbalances

This DVD focuses on several types of material imbalances, such as Rook vs 2 Pieces, Queen vs 2 Rooks, and Queen vs Pieces.

Schedule