source: chess.com
GM Anish Giri beat Hans Niemann to win the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss taking home $90,000 top prize. He also earned a spot in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. Giri was in clear first place with eight points while three players were tied with 7.5 points. However, it was German #2 Matthias Bluebaum who joined Giri in the 2026 Candidates Tournament after winning the tie breaks.
Matthias Bluebaum was the revelation in the tournament taking second place and earning a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament which will decide the challenger for the Fide World Champion. He edged out compatriot German #1 Vincent Kaymer and beat two Indian superstars Praggnanandha (Elo 2785) and Arjun Erigaisi (Elo 2771).
Bluebaum - Praggnanandha
The game was drawish until Pragg made a blunder c6 in the 36th move.
Afterwhich White replied with 37. Be4 threatening to capture the Knight and marching the c-pawn. Black had no choice but to give up a pawn to avoid losing on the spot.
Having an extra outside passed pawn in the a-file, White had no trouble converting the position to a win.
Link to game: https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-grand-swiss-2025--open/round-5/ADzdjVmn/GIXGL9hr
Bluebaum - Erigaisi
In the game Erigaisi blundered by taking a seemingly free a-pawn but found his Queen in an uncomfortable position after Ba8. The Queen can find safe squares on a6 and a4 but White will lose the Bishop on d2.
Link to game: https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-grand-swiss-2025--open/round-7/xtmbmvSP/k7QUxRAk
Women's Section
Pragg's sister, Vaishali won the Women's section and took home $40,000 first prize. She was tied with Kateryna Lagno with eight points but won by tie breaks.
