European Women’s Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship 2025 Kicks Off This Weekend in Monaco
European Chess Union (ECU)
Press Release Details
- Organisation: European Chess Union (ECU)
- Location: Monte-Carlo, Monaco – Hotel Novotel
- Attachment: https://www.europechess.org/european-womens-rapid-and-blitz-chess-championship-2025-starts-in-monaco/
Summary
The Principality hosts the European Women’s Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship 2025 this weekend, with record participation and a total prize fund of €46,500.
Monte-Carlo, Monaco – 12 January 2026 – The European Women’s Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship 2025 begins this weekend in Monte-Carlo, bringing together top female players from across Europe. Hosted at the Hotel Novotel, the event runs from 8th to 12th January 2026.
The Blitz Championship takes place on 9th January, featuring 13 rounds under the Swiss system, with a time control of 3 minutes plus 2 seconds per move. The Rapid Championship follows on 10th-11th January, with 11 rounds and a time control of 15 minutes plus 10 seconds per move.
The total prize fund for the competitions is €46,500, including €15,200 for the Blitz Championship and €31,300 for the Rapid Championship. Participation has reached record levels, with 154 players from 32 federations registered for Rapid and 145 players for Blitz.
Top seeds include GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI), GM Nino Batsiashvili (GEO), GM Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL), GM Anna Ushenina (UKR), IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (ESP), GM Bella Khotenashvili (GEO), IM Meri Arabidze (GEO), IM Eline Roebers (NED), IM Deimante Daulyte-Cornette (FRA), and GM Pia Cramling (SWE).
Live coverage of the championship is available on the ECU YouTube channel, with commentary by GM Alojzije Jankovic and IM Almira Skripchenko.
For participants and chess enthusiasts, this weekend promises intense competition, strategic play, and a celebration of the Principality’s growing role as a hub for international sporting events.
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