The 2025 Speed Chess Championship has its final four. And it’s a blockbuster lineup.
With all quarterfinal matches complete, the semifinals are officially set: Magnus Carlsen vs. Denis Lazavik on one side of the bracket, and Hikaru Nakamura vs. Alireza Firouzja on the other. It’s a dream scenario for speed-chess fans: the reigning king of fast chess, the two most dominant online blitz players of the last decade, and a 19-year-old prodigy who just shocked the chess world.
While the finals in London on February 7–8, 2026, are still months away, the live semifinals promise one of the strongest four-player fields in the event’s history.
Lazavik Books A Spot Against Carlsen After Commanding Win Over Niemann
The most recent quarterfinal to finish delivered the last puzzle piece. GM Denis Lazavik, the Belarusian phenom who has quietly climbed into the global elite of blitz and bullet, defeated American GM Hans Niemann by a convincing 15.5–9.5 score. Across the three time-control segments—5+1, 3+1, and 1+1—Lazavik won every single one.
Entering the match, commentators IM Danny Rensch and IM Levy Rozman actually expected Niemann to hold the edge in the shorter formats, especially in the 3+1 segment. But the opposite happened. Lazavik not only kept up; he outplayed Niemann in nearly every phase of the match.
Quick Look at the Openings
Although this wasn’t a match defined by cutting-edge theory, several opening choices stood out:
- Lazavik surprised Niemann with more Sicilians (1…c5) than usual, admitting afterward that he had specifically prepared the …Nh6 lines for this match.
- In the 5+1 portion, Niemann repeatedly tested Lazavik’s Berlin-influenced setups with early central tension but struggled to make anything of the positions.
- Lazavik’s most memorable win of the blitz section came from an English Opening that he converted into a kingside attack capped by a rook sacrifice—a reminder that he’s as dangerous in calm openings as in sharp ones.
- In the bullet segment, Lazavik used the Grünfeld as White to score a miniature that symbolized the overall match: fast, precise, and unforgiving.
With nerves shaking off after a few missed chances early on, Lazavik reeled off streaks of clean wins. His composure was the story of the day. Even Niemann admitted afterward that he simply “didn’t play great,” while Lazavik insisted that he doesn’t consider himself stronger—just better on the day.
The result sends Lazavik to face Magnus Carlsen, a matchup made even more interesting because Lazavik beat Carlsen at the 2024 World Rapid Championship. Carlsen is still the favorite, but now he’ll be preparing for an opponent he knows is capable of real damage.
Carlsen Advances Smoothly On His Side Of The Bracket
The top seed and most recognizable name in speed chess, Magnus Carlsen, reached the semifinals after taking down Mexico’s GM José Martínez in the Round of 16 and then defeating GM Fabiano Caruana 14.5–7.5 in the quarters.
Carlsen’s style in this year’s SCC has been unmistakably confident: stable openings, low-risk positions, and the typical grinding that forces mistakes from even the world’s best. Whether he chooses his trusted 1…e5 against Lazavik or prepares something new—as Lazavik did against Niemann—will be among the biggest storylines heading into the semifinal.
Carlsen is chasing another Speed Chess Championship crown to cap a remarkable stretch of dominance in fast time controls. But of all opponents he could have faced, Lazavik might be the most unpredictable.
Nakamura vs. Firouzja: A Clash Of Online Titans
On the other side of the bracket, fans get the matchup many have been waiting for: Hikaru Nakamura vs. Alireza Firouzja.
This pairing pits:
- The most successful online blitz player ever (Nakamura)
against - The most dangerous younger generation superstar in fast chess (Firouzja).
Nakamura’s Road to the Semis
Nakamura defeated Vietnam’s Lê Quang Liêm in a tightly contested match before overcoming Wesley So 11–10 in the quarterfinals. His play has been classic Hikaru—hyper-accurate calculation mixed with relentless practical decision-making.
Nakamura’s opening choices this year have been crisp and flexible: using both 1.e4 and 1.d4, and mixing the Nimzo-Indian, Queen’s Gambit Declined, and even occasional King’s Indian setups. His ability to shift gears based on format (blitz vs. bullet) remains arguably the best in the world.
Firouzja’s Path So Far
Firouzja has looked equally convincing, taking out Lê Tuấn Minh in the first round and then defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi 19–9 in one of the most one-sided matches of the event. Firouzja’s trademark sharpness has been on full display, especially in the 3+1 and 1+1 segments where his ability to convert initiative into checkmate is unmatched.
Openings like the Sicilian Najdorf, Ruy Lopez, and aggressive King’s Indian setups have given him dynamic positions where he thrives most. Against Nakamura, though, every opening will be tested to its limit.
The Nakamura–Firouzja semifinal promises a contrast of styles: Nakamura’s stability and experience against Firouzja’s creativity and energy. Both are former Speed Chess Championship finalists, and both believe they can win the whole thing.
A Historic Lineup For London
The semifinals and finals will be played live in London on February 7–8, 2026. For the first time, all segments will be longer:
- 5+1 → 90 minutes
- 3+1 → 60 minutes
- 1+1 → 30 minutes
With $250,000 in total prizes and three Esports World Cup qualification spots on the line, motivation could not be higher.
The Four Finalists at a Glance
| Player | Reputation in Speed Chess | Why They’re Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Magnus Carlsen | Greatest all-around player; lethal in any format | Ultra instincts, unmatched endgame technique |
| Hikaru Nakamura | Most successful online speed-chess player ever | Bullet instincts, resourcefulness |
| Alireza Firouzja | Most explosive young attacker | Raw calculation power, tactical vision |
| Denis Lazavik | Fast-rising blitz/bullet prodigy | Fearless play, excellent preparation |
No matter who emerges from the two semifinals, the live final promises to be one of the strongest SCC finales ever held.
Where to Watch
The entire event streams live on Chess.com/TV, Twitch, and YouTube. Commentary is provided by IM Danny Rensch, IM Levy Rozman, GM David Howell, WGM Tania Sachdev, and others.
FAQ: 2025 Speed Chess Championship Semifinals
1. Who are the four semifinalists in the 2025 Speed Chess Championship?
The four semifinalists are Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, and Denis Lazavik. These matchups are Carlsen vs. Lazavik and Nakamura vs. Firouzja.
2. When and where will the semifinals and finals take place?
Both the semifinals and finals will be played live in London on February 7–8, 2026. This is the second consecutive year the SCC will conclude with a live, ticketed event.
3. What time controls are used in the semifinals and finals?
The live stages use extended segments compared to the earlier rounds:
- 5+1: 90 minutes
- 3+1: 60 minutes
- 1+1: 30 minutes
All games have a 1-second increment.
4. How did Denis Lazavik qualify for the semifinals?
Lazavik defeated Hans Niemann 15.5–9.5 in their quarterfinal match. He won every time-control segment and used flexible opening choices—including prepared Sicilian ideas—to secure one of the best performances of the entire tournament.
5. Why is the Carlsen vs. Lazavik semifinal so anticipated?
Because Lazavik recently beat Carlsen at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, proving he can trouble the world champion even in fast formats. Carlsen remains the favorite, but many fans see this as a potential upset match.
6. Why is Nakamura vs. Firouzja considered a dream matchup?
Nakamura is the most dominant online blitz player of the past decade, while Firouzja is the most dangerous attacking prodigy of his generation. Their styles contrast perfectly—solid experience versus explosive tactical creativity.
7. What openings have been trending in this year’s SCC?
Players have used a mix of classical and hyper-modern systems. Some themes include:
- Sicilian Defense variations (especially by Firouzja and Lazavik)
- Berlin-inspired e5 structures (popular with Niemann and Carlsen)
- English Opening setups leading to kingside attacks
- Nimzo-Indian and QGD frameworks in blitz play
8. What is at stake besides the prize money?
The top three finishers qualify for the 2026 Esports World Cup, making this event doubly important for elite players hoping to secure a spot early.
9. How big is the prize pool?
The prize pool is $250,000, one of the largest ever for a Speed Chess Championship.
10. Where can I watch the matches live?
You can follow the action on:
- Chess.com/TV
- Chess.com Twitch channel
- YouTube.com/Chess
All broadcasts feature commentary from well-known figures such as Danny Rensch, Levy Rozman, David Howell, and Tania Sachdev.
11. How do players get into the Speed Chess Championship?
Sixteen players qualify through a mix of invitations and Titled Tuesday Grand Prix results. The 2025 field includes world champions, top-10 stars, national icons, and online specialists.
12. Why does the Speed Chess Championship matter?
Because it’s considered the premier online fast-chess competition in the world, blending elite classical players with the strongest online blitz specialists. Many fans view it as the true “world championship” of speed chess.
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