2/7/2026 – The final weekend of the Speed Chess Championship moves from the online arena to a live stage in London, where the semifinals and title match are being played in front of spectators. The event combines rapid, blitz and bullet segments. | Follow the games live with expert commentary. On Saturday, Magnus Carlsen v. Lazavik starts at 14.00 CET, while Alireza Firouzja v. Hikaru Nakamura starts at 19.00 CET.
new: Fritz 20
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
€49.90
Semifinals
The concluding stages of the Speed Chess Championship are being held in front of a live audience in London on 7–8 February 2026, with the semifinals, consolation match and final taking place at 180 Studios, a noted brutalist-style venue located in the heart of the city.
The semifinal pairings were decided by quarterfinal matches completed in November. Magnus Carlsen will meet Denis Lazavik, while Hikaru Nakamura faces Alireza Firouzja.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply. The King’s Indian Defence has been one of the most dynamic and popular responses to 1.d4 for decades. Legends such as Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, and Hikaru Nakamura have employed it at the highest level – and it continues to fascinate today, as it offers Black not only solidity but also rich attacking and counterattacking opportunities. Its special advantage: the King’s Indian is a universal system, equally effective against 1.d4, 1.c4, and 1.Nf3. Grandmaster Felix Blohberger, multiple Austrian Champion and experienced second, presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black. His approach: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: London System
Each match in the live finals follows the championship's standard three-segment structure of continuous games:
Segment 1: 90 minutes of games at a 5+1 time control
Segment 2: 60 minutes of games at a 3+1 time control
Segment 3: 30 minutes of games at a 1+1 time control
Colours alternate from game to game, with the higher-seeded player starting with white in the first game of each segment. A win scores one point and a draw half a point, and only games that have already begun before a segment timer expires count towards the score. Players may not forfeit a match except during the final ten minutes of the 1+1 segment.
In this video course, kings will play a role of strong and active pieces. We will explore how Kings can be helpful in defence and prophylaxis, or even in attack!
Format
Each match in the live finals follows the championship's standard three-segment structure of continuous games:
Segment 1: 90 minutes of games at a 5+1 time control
Segment 2: 60 minutes of games at a 3+1 time control
Segment 3: 30 minutes of games at a 1+1 time control
Colours alternate from game to game, with the higher-seeded player starting with white in the first game of each segment. A win scores one point and a draw half a point, and only games that have already begun before a segment timer expires count towards the score. Players may not forfeit a match except during the final ten minutes of the 1+1 segment.
If the score is level after all three segments, the tiebreak procedure is as follows:
Up to four additional 1+1 games are played, with colours continuing to alternate
The match ends as soon as one player reaches 2½ points in this mini-match
If still tied, a single Armageddon game is played
For Armageddon, both players secretly submit a bid indicating how much time (up to five minutes) they are willing to have with the black pieces. The lower bid receives Black with that time, while White gets the full five minutes and must win the game, as a draw counts as a win for Black.
Let our authors show you how Carlsen tailored his openings to be able to outplay his opponents strategically in the middlegame or to obtain an enduring advantage into the endgame.
2/5/2026 – The final weekend of the Speed Chess Championship moves from the online arena to a live stage in London, where the semifinals and title match will be played in front of spectators. After earlier knockout rounds held online, four players remain: Magnus Carlsen, Denis Lazavik, Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja. The event combines rapid, blitz and bullet segments, with a consolation match and detailed tiebreak procedures ensuring a clear overall winner across two days of play. | Photo: Maria Emelianova / chess.com
11/9/2025 – London is set to host the climax of the 2025 Speed Chess Championship, with the world's fastest players gathering at 180 Studios (pictured) on 7 and 8 February 2026 for the semifnals and the final match. Eight players, including Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, remain in contention in the quarterfinals. The four winners of these matches, set to take place until 4 December, will make it to the final live event in London. | Photo: <a href="https://www.thembsgroup.co.uk/internal/180-the-strand-brutalist-lines-blur-art-culture-food-and-commerce/">MBS Group</a>
What to do against the Pirc? Many players find it difficult to play against Black’s set-up. Try the Austrian Attack! It is a solid but dangerous weapon and guarantees White an effective attack from the very start! Learn the key tricks of this deadly line and crush the Pirc with ease!
Opening videos: Daniel King presents new ideas against Caro-Kann with 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+. ‘Mikhalchishin's Miniatures’: Najdorf, Petroff and Scotch. ‘Move by Move’ with Robert Ris. ‘Lucky bag’ with 37 analyses by Ganguly, Illingworth et al.
Instead of forcing you to memorise endless lines, Raja focuses on clear plans, typical ideas, and attacking motifs that you can apply in your own games without delay. A short, focused, and practical repertoire.
FIDE World Cup 2025 with analyses by Adams, Bluebaum, Donchenko, Shankland, Wei Yi and many more. Opening videos by Blohberger, King and Marin. 11 exciting opening articles with new repertoire ideas and much more.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
€49.90
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