Speed Chess Championship: Carlsen, Naka, Firouzja and Lazavik in semis

All set for the London finals in February

The 2025 Speed Chess Championship reached its decisive stage as the quarterfinals concluded, setting up two high-profile semifinal encounters: Magnus Carlsen will meet Denis Lazavik, while Hikaru Nakamura is set to face Alireza Firouzja. These four players will participate in the live finals in London, scheduled for 7–8 February 2026, when the semifinals, consolation match and final will be played before an on-site audience.

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The event follows its established format: following a series of qualifying events, a 16-player single-elimination bracket is organised by chess.com, with each match divided into three timed phases – 5+1, 3+1 and 1+1 – played consecutively. Should any match finish level, a series of extra 1+1 games is held, followed, if necessary, by a bidding Armageddon decider.

Carlsen defeats Caruana

Magnus Carlsen advanced after registering a 14½–7½ victory over Fabiano Caruana. Although the Norwegian began as the clear favourite, the match remained competitive well into the 3+1 portion. Amid the second section, Caruana trailed by only a single point at 6½–5½, taking advantage of an uncharacteristically uneven spell from Carlsen.

The balance shifted abruptly thereafter. Carlsen produced a sustained run of eight consecutive wins, effectively removing any doubt regarding the final outcome. His set scores reflected this late surge:

• 5+1: Carlsen 4½–2½ Caruana
• 3+1: Carlsen 4–3 Caruana
• 1+1: Carlsen 6–2 Caruana

All games

Nakamura edges So

Hikaru Nakamura secured his place in London following a narrow win against Wesley So by an 11-10 score. The match was notable for its momentum swings: Nakamura twice built substantial leads, only for So to reply each time with three-game streaks. Rarely does Nakamura lose a bullet segment, but So managed exactly that, winning the 1+1 phase 4–3.

In this insightful video course, Grandmaster David Navara shares practical advice on when to calculate deeply in a position — and just as importantly, when not to.
In this insightful video course, Grandmaster David Navara shares practical advice on when to calculate deeply in a position — and just as importantly, when not to.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: Invisible moves

The American top seed nonetheless prevailed by taking a crucial penultimate game and defending a difficult position in the final encounter. The segment results were:

• 5+1: Nakamura 4½–2½ So
• 3+1: Nakamura 3½–3½ So
• 1+1: Nakamura 3–4 So

All games

Firouzja overpowers Nepomniachtchi

Alireza Firouzja delivered one of the most one-sided results of the round, defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi 19–9. Firouzja’s consistency across all three segments left his opponent with few opportunities to narrow the gap. He maintained a clear initiative throughout, winning each phase by a wide margin:

• 5+1: Firouzja 5½–3½ Nepomniachtchi
• 3+1: Firouzja 6½–3½ Nepomniachtchi
• 1+1: Firouzja 7–2 Nepomniachtchi

The result gives Firouzja a strong platform heading into his meeting with Nakamura.

All games

Lazavik stops Niemann

Denis Lazavik completed the semifinal lineup with a 15½–9½ win over Hans Niemann. The Belarusian grandmaster maintained control for most of the match, ultimately scoring eleven wins to Niemann’s five. His performance across the three phases was steady and convincing, and he now progresses to face Carlsen in London:

With the moves d4-Nf3-e3-Bd3 White aims for simple piece development and to slowly build up a devastating attack on the kingside!
One of the simplest openings for White to learn, and one of the most frustrating ones for Black to face! With the moves d4-Nf3-e3-Bd3 White aims for simple piece development and to slowly build up a devastating attack on the kingside!
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: e4-e5 attacking ideas

• 5+1: Niemann 2½–5½ Lazavik
• 3+1: Niemann 3½–4½ Lazavik
• 1+1: Niemann 3½–5½ Lazavik

All games