Day 1 – Rapid
The Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament is the fourth stage of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour. The tournament features rapid and blitz chess.
The tournament runs on 11-15 August with the well-known tour format of rapid and blitz chess: 9 rounds of rapid played on the first three days of action, followed by 18 rounds of blitz played on the final two days.
The time control in the rapid section is 25 minutes for the game plus 10-second increments per move. In the blitz section, it is 5 minutes for the game plus 2-second increments per move.
The event features a prize fund that amounts to $175,000, with $40,000 reserved for the winner. Grand Chess Tour points will also be awarded.
Live games and commentary
The Classical Sicilian has stood the test of time as one of the most principled and fighting defences against 1.e4. With its rich history spanning world championship matches and modern elite tournaments, this opening remains a favourite among players who seek a dynamic, counterattacking approach without venturing into extreme theoretical battles like the Najdorf or Sveshnikov.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: 6.h3
Commentary by Yasser Seirawan, Peter Svidler and Nazi Paikidze
Current standings – Rapid (win = 2 pts.; draw = 1 pt.)
In this video course, experts including Dorian Rogozenco, Mihail Marin, Karsten Müller and Oliver Reeh, examine the games of Boris Spassky. Let them show you which openings Spassky chose to play, where his strength in middlegames were and much more.
