GM Dariusz Swiercz is the new U.S. Open Champion! The 31-year-old grandmaster sealed the title with a thrilling last-round victory over GM Joshua Friedel at the Madison Marriott West. With this win, Swiercz scored 8 out of 9 points and secured not only the championship trophy but also a coveted spot in the 2025 U.S. Chess Championship this October.
A Dominant Performance
Swiercz, originally from Poland but now playing for the United States, faced a tough field at the 125th Annual U.S. Open, one of the most prestigious and historic tournaments on the American chess calendar. The event drew hundreds of players from across the country and beyond, competing for a $60,000 prize fund and national pride.
Swiercz’s path to victory included wins over strong grandmasters and international masters. He drew two games – one against top-seed IM Sam Schmakel and another with IM Roman Pyrih – but defeated every other opponent, including GMs Friedel, Jianchao Zhou, and Nathaniel Moor.
Here’s a look at his full scorecard:
- Round 1: Win vs. Patrick Cunningham
- Round 2: Win vs. Ethan Harrison
- Round 3: Win vs. Paul Richter
- Round 4: Win vs. Roman Pyrih
- Round 5: Draw vs. GM Andrew Hong
- Round 6: Win vs. GM Alexander Fishbein
- Round 7: Draw vs. IM Sam Schmakel
- Round 8: Win vs. Nathaniel Philip Mỏo
- Round 9: Win vs. GM Joshua Friedel
The final round was especially dramatic. Swiercz played Black against Friedel, who had a perfect score heading into the game. A win by Friedel would have handed him the title, but Swiercz showed calm nerves and clean technique to outplay his opponent and claim first place.
This game between GM Dariusz Swiercz and GM Joshua Friedel was a high-stakes final-round clash at the 2025 U.S. Open. Swiercz, playing White, won convincingly, and the game showcases clean, strategic handling of the London System with a thematic transformation into a queenside initiative.
A Champion’s Journey
Dariusz Swiercz’s chess journey began early. Born in Tarnowskie Góry, Poland in 1994, he learned the game at just three years old from his grandfather. By age 14, he had already earned the grandmaster title, making him the youngest Polish player ever to achieve that rank.
In 2011, Swiercz became the World Junior Chess Champion, and a year later, he added the World U18 title to his name. He switched federations to represent the United States in 2018 and has since been a strong presence in U.S. tournaments.
His peak rating was 2670 in 2019, and he has represented multiple clubs across Europe in top leagues. From the French Top 12 to the German Bundesliga, Swiercz has built a global resume, but this U.S. Open win is one of the standout achievements of his American career so far.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Swiercz has punched his ticket to the 2025 U.S. Chess Championship, where he’ll face off against the nation’s elite, including Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and Levon Aronian. The chance to compete for the national crown is a major milestone, and Swiercz has proved he’s more than ready.
The 2025 U.S. Open wasn’t just about elite players. It featured multiple schedules — 7-day, 5-day, and 4-day options — and welcomed everyone from grandmasters to unrated newcomers. The event also served as part of the US Chess Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix, giving rising stars a platform to shine.
But in the end, it was the veteran GM from Missouri who stood tallest.
Final Standings – Top 5
| Rank | Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM Dariusz Swiercz | 8.0 |
| 2-5 | GM Daniel Naroditsky | 7.5 |
| GM Jianchao Zhou | 7.5 | |
| GM Joshua Friedel | 7.5 | |
| GM Tanguy Ringoir | 7.5 |
Full results of 2025 US Open Chess Championship
Swiercz’s victory is a reminder that calm play, consistent focus, and deep preparation still matter in this modern era of fast chess and online blitz. Congratulations to the 2025 U.S. Open Champion, Dariusz Swiercz!
Rewatch 2025 U.S. Open Chess Championship games below:
I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300, in both blitz and bullet. Follow me on Twitter (X).
