Speed Chess turns ten, with London waiting at the finish

The Speed Chess Championship opens November 16 with 16 players in a knockout bracket. A match starts at five minutes per player and ends at one minute per player. For someone tuning in from the club, the most interesting part may be the moment the format changes and a lead suddenly has to survive bullet.

Three speeds, one match score

The opening rounds give players 75 minutes of 5+1 games, 50 minutes of 3+1, and 25 minutes of 1+1. The numbers describe the time each player starts with and the one-second increment after each move. The segment clock determines how many games fit. A player who needs to catch up has to watch both the match score and the minutes remaining in the segment.

How Carlsen carried a lead into bullet

The previous edition’s London final gives you a match to replay. Magnus Carlsen took a two-point lead in 5+1 against Alireza Firouzja. Firouzja then scored 4½ out of nine in 3+1, matching Carlsen game for game across the segment. The gap was still two points when bullet started. Carlsen finished the match 15–12.

That is the part to remember when the format changes in November. A player can play an entire segment level with the leader and still have the same deficit. Every draw also takes time off the match clock, leaving fewer chances to earn back those points.

Follow one player across the change to bullet

Pick a match with a close score going into 1+1. Notice whether the player in front chooses familiar openings or trades pieces early. Then watch what the trailing player does after a draw. They may need sharper positions and quicker games to make up ground. The clock helps explain decisions that can look puzzling if you only watch the board.

What changes in London

The live finals run February 5–7 at 180 Studios in London. The time controls stay the same, but the segments expand to 90, 60, and 30 minutes. The semifinals are Friday, the third-place match is Saturday, and the final is Sunday.