Fedoseev Dominates Day One of Blitz at the 2025 Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland

Key Highlights:

• Vladimir Fedoseev leads by nearly four points after an impressive 8/9 blitz score.
• Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu holds second place despite early losses.
• Close competition for the second spot among Aronian, Vachier-Lagrave, and Chithambaram.
• Final day starts early on April 30 at 6 a.m. ET.

GM Vladimir Fedoseev Dominates Day One of Blitz at 2025 Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland

Warsaw, Poland — Grandmaster Vladimir Fedoseev has taken a commanding lead in the 2025 Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland, entering the final day with a nearly four-point advantage after an impressive performance in the blitz rounds. Following a series of six draws in the rapid segment, Fedoseev showcased his blitz prowess by scoring an astonishing 8 out of 9 on the first day of blitz, nearly "pulling a Magnus" in his strategic play.

As the tournament approaches its conclusion, Fedoseev stands at the top of the leaderboard, but the battle for second place remains fierce. GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, despite a rocky start with two losses, has managed to secure the second position. He is closely followed by a trio of contenders: GMs Levon Aronian, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Aravindh Chithambaram, all just a point behind.

The final day of competition kicks off earlier than usual, starting at 6 a.m. ET / 12:00 CEST / 3:30 p.m. IST on Wednesday, April 30.

Fedoseev’s Blitz Brilliance

On Tuesday, Fedoseev’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. He navigated through challenging positions, often turning potential losses into victories. "I feel very lucky… I think in many games I’ve been lucky," he remarked after the day’s play. "It was such a wild day when in most of the games all kinds of results were possible."

His standout moments included a miraculous save against Praggnanandhaa, where he managed to salvage a piece-down endgame, and a thrilling victory over Polish number one Jan-Krzysztof Duda, who humorously lamented, "I had to show some really special talent to lose that game."

Fedoseev’s ability to capitalize on his opponents’ mistakes was evident, particularly in his match against Aravindh, where the Indian GM’s over-optimism led to a critical blunder. Despite the luck factor, Fedoseev’s tactical acumen shone through, allowing him to maintain an undefeated streak in Warsaw.

The Chase for Second Place

While Fedoseev appears poised to clinch the title, the competition for second place is heating up. Praggnanandhaa, who started the day with two losses, rebounded to win five games, demonstrating resilience typical of speed chess events. "It’s a long event and you just have to keep going," he stated, recalling his previous successes in similar tournaments.

Vachier-Lagrave also found his rhythm, winning five games after a shaky start, while Aronian remains a formidable contender, showcasing his tactical prowess throughout the day.

Looking Ahead

With one day left and nine rounds of blitz to play, the excitement is palpable. As Vachier-Lagrave noted, "There’s a huge pack fighting for second place, and I’m glad to be part of it after what looked to be a very bad day at the office."

The 2025 Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland is the inaugural event of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour, taking place at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Fans can expect thrilling chess action as the tournament reaches its climax.

For those eager to catch the final rounds, the event is being broadcast live, promising an exhilarating conclusion to this prestigious chess showdown.