London: Abdusattorov continues to win

by Johannes Fischer
12/1/2025 – The first half of the London Chess Classic was dominated by Nodirbek Abdusattorov (photo). In round 5 he defeated Nikolas Theodorou with White, reaching 4.5/5 at the halfway mark and pulling a full point ahead of Alireza Firouzja. Firouzja drew with Black against Gawain Maroroa Jones and now stands on 3.5/5. Abhimanyu Mishra and Luke McShane also drew, as did Pavel Eljanov and Michael Adams. The second win of the round went to Nikita Vitiugov, who won a theoretically interesting game against Sam Shankland.| Photo: Tennis legend Andy Murray (center) makes the ceremonial first move | Photo: Tournament page
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London Chess Classic, Elite Tournament, Round 5

In round 5, Abdusattorov scored his fourth win in London, though he needed a bit of help from his opponent. He emerged from the opening with an advantage, but then failed to meet Black’s counterplay precisely. However, with a dubious queen sacrifice, Theodorou squandered his chances and was soon countered in turn — also by a queen sacrifice.

Two queen sacrifices in one game

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Topics: London Chess Classic 2025, Nodirbek Abdusattorov
Johannes Fischer was born in 1963 in Hamburg and studied English and German literature in Frankfurt. He now lives as a writer and translator in Nürnberg. He is a FIDE-Master and regularly writes for KARL, a German chess magazine focusing on the links between culture and chess. On his own blog he regularly publishes notes on "Film, Literature and Chess".