Chess takes over Vichy
The 2025 French Chess Championships are taking place in Vichy from 15 to 24 August. The event has brought together players of all levels in what is described as a true chess festival, with thousands of participants spread across different tournaments.
Alongside the two main knockout events that will decide the national titles - the Tournoi National and the Tournoi National Féminin - the programme includes numerous open tournaments for players of various categories, from the youngest age groups to senior competitors. Vichy, with its long tradition of hosting large-scale chess events, provides both the facilities and the atmosphere for such a gathering.
The scale of the championships reflects the vitality of the game in France. The national finals serve as the headline events, but the parallel tournaments allow amateurs, club players and youth competitors to share the stage with the country's leading professionals.
The videos deal with the exciting French Advance Variation, starting with 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5. Besides numerous sidelines, the main focus is on the two most played systems with 3...c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 and 5...Bd7.Vichy itself is well suited for this kind of festival. Known as a spa town with a strong cultural heritage, it has regularly hosted chess events in the past. The city's infrastructure accommodates the large influx of participants and visitors, while the historical setting provides an additional layer of significance for the players who travel there.
A beautiful setting | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
Chess-themed souvenirs | Photo: Alexandra Nio
Chess is also featured outdoors | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
The format for the national titles attracts particular interest for chess fans. Both the Open and the Women's tournaments are 16-player knockouts, each round consisting of two classical games (90 min/40 moves + 30 min + 30-second increments) followed, if necessary, by rapid (15+10), blitz (5+3) and ultimately an Armageddon decider (5 min v. 4 min).
The round-of-16 and the quarterfinals have already taken place and delivered a few surprises, setting up semifinals in which the balance between established names and emerging figures is clearly visible.
Schedule
- 20-21 August: Semifinals
- 22-24 August: Finals (unlike in previous rounds, tiebreaks, if necessary, will take place a day after the second game of the match)
In this two-volume video course former world-champion and startrainer Rustam Kasimdzhanov shows you the ins and outs of this hugely complex opening.
The main stage during the quarterfinals | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
Open tournament
In the open section, the semifinals have produced a combination of experience and youth. Three of the four semifinalists are over 40 years old, a reminder of the depth of experience in French chess. The exception is Marc'Andria Maurizzi, only 18 years of age, who continues to confirm his status as one of the most promising talents in the country. His place in the last four ensures that a younger voice remains part of the conversation in a field dominated by seasoned professionals.
Etienne Bacrot, aged 42 and one of the most recognisable figures in French chess for over two decades, eliminated defending champion Jules Moussard in the quarterfinals. Bacrot now faces Maurizzi in what will be a generational clash.
On the other side of the bracket, Laurent Fressinet, aged 43, progressed after defeating Yannick Gozzoli in dramatic fashion, needing an Armageddon playoff to settle the score. He will face fellow veteran Sebastien Maze, aged 42, who overcame Romain Edouard 1½–½ thanks to a classical-chess victory with the white pieces.
Image: Europe Échecs
Unleash your chess potential with this dynamic course focused on mastering the initiative.
Etienne Bacrot | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
Laurent Fressinet | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
All games
Women's tournament
The women's competition has reached its semifinals with a mixture of recent champions and ambitious challengers. The upper half of the bracket features Deimante Daulyte-Cornette, who won the title in 2024, and Mitra Hejazipour, who triumphed in 2023. Their clash guarantees that one of the last two champions will return to the final.
On the lower half of the draw, Anastasia Savina and Yosha Iglesias both achieved notable quarterfinal victories against higher-rated opposition. Savina knocked out Manon Schippke, while Iglesias overcame two-time champion Pauline Guichard, who had lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2019.
The semifinals promise to provide balanced contests in both sections, with the prospect of either continuity or renewal when the finals are reached.
Image: Europe Échecs
This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Overview
Free video sample: Chigorin: 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Nd7/cxd4
Defending champion Deimante Daulyte-Cornette | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
Yosha Iglesias | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
All games
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