Press Release
Sparkassen Chess Trophy 2025
International Dortmund Chess Days kick off on Saturday with a full house and on Sunday with Wagner taking on Pähtz
Two weeks before the tournament began, all participant places at the Alte Schmiede Cultural Centre were already fully booked. 400 participants are registered. Players from 37 countries are coming to Dortmund. In terms of sport, the focus is on the open tournaments with a prize fund of €20,000. In the A-Open, 17 grandmasters, 18 international masters and 4 grandmasters are registered to compete for the top places.
The top favourite is Matthias Blübaum, German national player and the first player ever to win the European Individual Championships twice. Last year’s surprise winner, Nico Zwirs (Netherlands), is aiming for a good placing.
If you think you know the Carlsbad structure, think again! The Ragozin Carlsbad introduces a fresh and dynamic approach, where Black delays …c6, keeping the c7-pawn flexible and allowing for a quicker …c5 break. This variation adds complexity and sharpness, making it an excellent choice for ambitious players.
Free Video Sample: Introduction
Free Video Sample: 6.Qa4 and 6.Nf3
Why Play the Ragozin Carlsbad?
✅ Faster …c5 Break – Black skips the typical …c6 move and can strike in the center more efficiently.
✅ Kingside Pawn Storm – Plans with …h6, Bh4, and g5 lead to aggressive, unbalanced positions.
✅ Proven at the Highest Level – Ian Nepomniachtchi chose this line in a must-win game against Caruana in the Candidates Tournament.
✅ Flexible Structures – White can opt for slower setups, but Black can transition into a better version of the classic Carlsbad.
Who Should Play This?
🔹 Carlsbad Structure Enthusiasts – Add variety and new attacking options to your repertoire.
🔹 Players Seeking Complexity – If you enjoy sharp, rich middlegame battles, this is for you.
🔹 Anyone Looking for a Solid yet Aggressive Repertoire – Mix positional understanding with dynamic play!
If you’re looking to expand your opening knowledge with a modern, cutting-edge approach, the Ragozin Carlsbad is a must-have addition to your repertoire. Start outplaying your opponents today!
The organisers, Initiative Pro Schach e.V., also attach great importance to giving Germany’s greatest talents the opportunity to compete with the best. Marius Deuer and Christian Glöckler are two talents who are expected to make the step up to the German national team in the future. In cooperation with Sportland.NRW, there will again be special prizes for the best U18 players.
International women’s tournament kicks off with top German duel
The highlight of this year’s Sparkassen Chess Trophy is the International Women’s Tournament featuring four grandmasters, which kicks off on Sunday on stage in Dortmund Huckarde. German top players Elisabeth Pähtz and Dinara Wagner will compete against two world-class players here.
The Neo-London System offers many new, creative possibilities to present your opponents with serious problems in the early stages of the game.
The international chess community is particularly excited about Miaoyi Lu – the 15-year-old is already Chinese champion, an established national player and the highest-ranked player in the field. The fourth participant is Deimanté Daulyté-Cornette, who was invited after winning the international tournament in Augsburg in March.
The pairings for the first round (3 August) are:
Dinara Wagner – Elisabeth Pähtz
Deimanté Daulyté-Cornette – Miaoyi Lu
The full schedule is available under:
https://sparkassen-chess-trophy.de/index.php/en/chess-trophy-2025/international-womens-tournament
Admission is free at all times. Grandmaster Artur Yusupov will be providing commentary on site, catering will be provided and spectators are very welcome.
The B Open starts daily at 10:30 a.m., the A Open and the women’s tournament daily at 3 p.m. Detailed information about the tournament, venue and results can be found at www.sparkassen-chess-trophy.de.
