The chess world`s attention is currently fixed on Zagreb, Croatia, for the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia, marking the highly anticipated third stage of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour. This event brings together an elite field of competitors vying for crucial GCT points and a significant prize fund in the thrilling formats of rapid and blitz chess.
The tournament structure includes a three-day rapid segment, played from July 2nd to 4th, featuring a single round-robin format with a time control of 25 minutes per game plus a 10-second increment per move. Following the rapid phase, the intensity escalates with a double round-robin blitz competition taking place on July 5th and 6th. Blitz games utilize a faster time control of 5 minutes per side with a 2-second increment, promising dynamic and often chaotic battles where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye.
Elite players competing in the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia.
Stakes are high in Zagreb, with a total prize fund of $175,000 on the line. The eventual champion will claim a substantial $40,000 purse, in addition to valuable points towards the overall Grand Chess Tour standings. These points are crucial for players aiming for a top finish in the overall tour standings at the end of the season.
As the tournament transitioned to the double round-robin blitz on Day 5, the pace significantly increased. This rapid-fire format, known for its unforgiving nature, is where split-second decisions often determine the outcome. The elite field, featuring world-class talents, navigates the complex positions under immense time pressure. Every game is a miniature drama, heavily influencing the race for the top prize and crucial GCT points. The shifts in the leaderboard are frequent, keeping both players and spectators on the edge of their seats.
With the final day of blitz approaching, the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia promises a dramatic conclusion, showcasing incredible skill and resilience under pressure, and setting the stage for the remaining events in the 2025 Grand Chess Tour series.
Finley Holt 
Callum Darby