Matthias Bluebaum Wins 2025 European Chess Championship
GM Matthias Bluebaum has won the 2025 European Individual Chess Championship in Eforie Nord, Romania. The 27-year-old German secured his second European title. He previously won in 2022, making him the first-ever two-time European Chess Champion(Matthias Bluebaum Wins 2025).
A Tight Battle for the Title
Going into the final round, Bluebaum and Daniil Yuffa (Spain) were tied at 8/10. Seven other Grandmasters were just half a point behind.
(Matthias Bluebaum Wins 2025)- Bluebaum, playing White against Nijat Abasov, chose a safe strategy and made a quick draw. Meanwhile, GM Frederik Svane (Germany) defeated Yuffa in a long, complex game. This victory brought Svane level with Bluebaum at the top of the standings.
Maxim Rodshtein also joined the tie for first place after beating Shant Sargsyan in the final round. All three finished with 8.5/11 points. However, Bluebaum won the title with a slightly better Buchholz tiebreak score. Svane took silver, and Rodshtein claimed bronze.
Final Standings (Top 12)
- GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER) – 8.5
- GM Frederik Svane (GER) – 8.5
- GM Maxim Rodshtein (ISR) – 8.5
- GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP) – 8
- GM Benjamin Gledura (HUN) – 8
- GM Aryan Tari (NOR) – 8
- GM Gabriel Sargissian (ARM) – 8
- GM Nijat Abasov (AZE) – 8
- GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (U18, TUR) – 8
- GM Ediz Gurel (U18, TUR) – 8
- GM Gergely Kantor (HUN) – 8
- IM Read Samadov (U18, AZE) – 8
Road to the FIDE World Cup
The European Championship also served as a qualifier for the FIDE World Cup. The top 20 finishers secured spots in the 2025 World Cup.
Special Achievements
- Best Junior U18: GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (TUR) with 8/11.
- Best Senior 50+: GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (UKR) with 7/10.
- Best Woman Player: IM Oliwia Kiolbasa (POL) with 6/10.
The Closing Ceremony
The event concluded with a grand ceremony attended by top officials, including ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili, five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, and representatives of the Romanian government and chess federation.
The European Chess Championship 2025 was an intense battle of skill, strategy, and endurance. Congratulations to all the winners!
Photos: European Chess Union, Federația Română de Șah, David Llada, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
