The 2025 International Dortmund Chess Days are now history. Satisfied participants, smooth operations and considerable attention for the chess festival remain as the conclusion.
The highly acclaimed International Women's Tournament was decided first. Miaoyi Lu's brilliant start was enough to secure her tournament victory. The 15-year-old Chinese player won the first four games with uncompromising play. Elisabeth Pähtz once again demonstrated her class and finished the tournament in second place. Dinara Wagner had an unfortunate start, but ended on a high note with a clean victory with black over the tournament winner, securing her third place ahead of Deimanté Daulyté-Cornette.
The tiebreak blitz tournament at the German Football Museum attracted particular attention in the popular press, and Wagner played great, winning the evening.
The sold-out B Open was won by the young Ukrainian Ihor Nahornyi. He was delighted not only with the first prize, but also with a starting place for the 2026 A Open and the honour of making the symbolic first move on stage on Sunday.
In the A-Open, the tension lasted until the end of the games. Six players achieved 7 points from 9 games, and the tiebreaker had to decide. European champion Matthias Blübaum was able to enter the list of winners of the Chess Days thanks to his consistent presence on the first board of the tournament:
‘I live nearby, so the chess festival is also a tournament from my childhood. I am very happy to have won it this year!’
The impression video of the 52nd International Dortmund Chess Days features a compilation of scenes from the week:
Final video
Christian Jochmann, chairman of the organising association Initiative Pro Schach e.V., already announced the possible date for 2026 at the award ceremony. Planning for 1-9 August 2026 is already underway. As soon as the date is finalised, we will let you know!