Speed Chess Championship 2025 Prediction Contest!
The Speed Chess Championship (SCC) is back, and drama is guaranteed as the event will reignite the fiercest rivalries in chess today. Starting October 13, the championship will once again pit GMs Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Hans Niemann against each other in thrilling speed chess matches!
The anticipation builds as fans will have the chance to watch their heroes in person, with the SCC Finals taking place in London, U.K., on February 7 and 8, 2026. Stay tuned for more information about tickets coming soon.
Stakes will be even higher this year, as players not only compete for their share of a hefty $250,000 prize fund, but also for three spots in the next Esports World Cup.
This year's lineup provides the perfect sequel for last year's event, when the same three players met in Paris for the SCC Final. The event, which broke viewership records and drew major media attention, ended with Carlsen as the champion—leaving his two rivals yearning for revenge.
Along with the three rivals, five other players have already qualified for the SCC through the 2025 Titled Tuesday Grand Prix. Among them is the Indian star GM Arjun Erigaisi, currently the world number-four on the live rating list. A dangerous blitz player with an uncompromising playing style, Arjun is among the favorites to make it to the Finals in London. Other qualified players include GMs Liem Le, Denis Lazavik, Jose Martinez, and Tuan Minh Le.
But the excitement doesn't stop there, as eight other chess titans are invited to join the fray. Among them is one of last edition's finalists, GM Alireza Firouzja, who finished the competition in second place after defeating Nakamura. Firouzja has proven time and again that he's one of the most talented blitz and bullet players in the world, and that he's not scared of facing anyone. After dominating this year's Bullet Chess Championship, he'll be striving for the first SCC title of his career.
Another invited player joining the action is GM Fabiano Caruana, currently the world number-three on the live rating list. A perennial contender on the biggest stages, Caruana’s presence adds even more star power to the field as he takes on the world's best in the speed chess arena. Other confirmed players include GMs Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Wesley So, and former world champion Ding Liren.
The 16 speedsters will compete in a single-elimination knockout in the same format fans know and love: two segments of blitz followed by a bullet segment.
Think you know how the tournament will go? Tell us by entering your prediction, and be in to win up to 6 months of free Chess.com Diamond membership! This includes unlimited puzzles, lessons, game review and more.
How to participate
Click the button above to go to the 2025 Speed Chess Championship bracket, and predict who you think will win each match and some key . You get points for every prediction that you get right. Whoever has the most points by the end of the tournament wins the competition! There will also be a prize given to a randomly chosen participant, so even if you’re not a chess-prediction legend you’re still in with a chance to win.
Please make sure you submit your Chess.com username as part of your prediction; it's also recommended to create a Challonge account to make it easier to review your bracket.
Prizes
- Overall winner: Six months of of Diamond membership
- Second place: Three months of Diamond membership
- Third place: Two months of Diamond membership
- Randomly selected participant: One month of Diamond membership
To be eligible, submit your prediction until October 13 at 11:30 AM EDT / 17:30 CET
