Chess fans, get ready, as you are in for a treat in the Sinquefield Cup 2025 round 1. The chess world’s top stars are set to clash in what’s basically the “Champions League” of chess tournaments. Let’s look at the details for Round 1, from pairings to key details, and most importantly, where you can catch the action.
Sinquefield Cup 2025 Round 1 Key Details
Dates: August 18-28, 2025
Rounds: 1 round per day; 9 rounds total
Sinquefield Cup 2025 Round 1: 18 August at 12:30 PM PDT
Venue: Richmond Heights, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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Format: 10-player classical round-robin. Each match is battle-hardened, top-level chess at its finest.
Prize Money: USD 350,000 up for grabs. The top prize is $100,000, with more rewards for the podium. Not just about the cash, it’s the final leg before the Grand Chess Tour Finals in São Paulo.
Notes: Top 4 Grand Chess Tour players after this event qualify for the season-ending finals. Points here are absolutely golden.
Sinquefield Cup 2025 Round 1: Who’s Playing?
The field is loaded with superstars:
- D Gukesh (World Champion, India)
- R Praggnanandhaa (India)
- Fabiano Caruana (USA)
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan)
- Alireza Firouzja (France, defending champion)
- Wesley So (USA)
- Levon Aronian (USA)
- Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France)
- Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland)
- Samuel Sevian (USA)
Sinquefield Cup 2025 Round 1 Pairings
Let’s break down who’s battling whom on opening day, aka the Sinquefield Cup 2025 Round 1:
- Samuel Sevian vs. Wesley So
- Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs. Alireza Firouzja
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov vs. Levon Aronian
- R Praggnanandhaa vs. D Gukesh (All-Indian mega clash!)
- Fabiano Caruana vs. Jan-Krzysztof Duda
With Gukesh taking on Praggnanandhaa right at the start, expect fireworks. All games start at 12 p.m. local time, 1:00 a.m. IST. Set those alarms, you don’t want to miss this!
Where to Watch Sinquefield Cup 2025 Round 1?
You have options! Chess fans can catch the games in the Sinquefield Cup 2025 round 1 with:
Official Live Broadcast: Chess.com offers a live broadcast of all games on its website.
Twitch: stlchessclub streams all rounds with top commentators breaking it down live.
This year’s Sinquefield Cup is not just any chess tournament; it’s the last call for Grand Chess Tour Finals qualification and one of the fiercest battlegrounds for bragging rights and serious prize money. With heavyweights like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Caruana, and Firouzja all hunting for glory, round 1 is just the beginning of a chess rollercoaster. Grab your popcorn and pick your favorites, Sinquefield Cup 2025 Round 1 starts now!
Also read: Swiatek vs Paolini: Cincinnati Open 2025 Final Preview And Where To Watch
