The world of chess is gearing up for a monumental climax as London prepares to host the final leg of the 2025 Speed Chess Championship. With the semifinals and finals scheduled for February 7 and 8, 2026, the stage is set for the sport’s most electrifying showdown, featuring some of the fastest minds in the game — including the legendary Magnus Carlsen.
London to host the Grand Finale of Speed Chess Championship
The thrilling conclusion of the 2025 Speed Chess Championship will unfold at 180 Studios in London, a venue renowned for its striking brutalist architecture and modern ambience. The event promises to deliver a unique blend of online-style intensity and live-audience excitement. Organized by chess.com, the finals mark a milestone moment — bringing one of the internet’s most popular chess spectacles to the physical stage.
Tickets for the London event are already on sale through the official website, offering fans multiple tiers of access. With the atmosphere of competitive blitz chess and the buzz of a live crowd, spectators can expect an immersive experience that perfectly bridges the digital and real-world chess realms.
Magnus Carlsen and other contenders eye the final stage
Eight elite grandmasters remain in contention as the quarterfinals heat up. The line-up features some of the most recognizable names in global chess:
Magnus Carlsen vs. Fabiano Caruana
Hans Niemann vs. Denis Lazavik
Alireza Firouzja vs. Ian Nepomniachtchi
Hikaru Nakamura vs. Wesley So
These matches, set to conclude by December 4, will determine the four semifinalists who advance to the live event in London. Notably, the highly anticipated clash between Alireza Firouzja and Ian Nepomniachtchi will take place on November 20 at 17:00 CET (12:00 ET / 21:30 IST).
The journey to this stage has already seen several top players — including Arjun Erigaisi, Ding Liren, and Anish Giri — eliminated in earlier rounds, showcasing just how fierce the competition has been.
The Format: Speed, strategy, and stamina
The Speed Chess Championship featuring Magnus Carlsen and others follows a high-octane format, testing both speed and endurance. Each match comprises three segments with progressively faster time controls — 5+1, 3+1, and 1+1 — making every second crucial. The semifinals, consolation match, and final feature extended time limits, ensuring more intense battles between the world’s best.
If a match ends in a tie, additional 1+1 games are played until one competitor reaches 2.5 points. In the rare event of a deadlock, a dramatic bidding Armageddon game decides the winner — where players wager time for the draw odds advantage, adding an element of strategy unlike any other in professional chess.