The 2025 European Chess Championship has crowned its first-ever two-time winner—Germany's Matthias Bluebaum! In a nail-biting finish, the 28-year-old grandmaster clinched the title on tiebreaks after ending in a three-way tie with compatriot Frederik Svane and Israel's Maxim Rodshtein (all scoring 8.5/11). This remarkable victory adds to Bluebaum's 2022 triumph, cementing his status as the only German to ever win this prestigious event in its 25-year history.
The 11-round tournament in Romania's Black Sea resort of Eforie Nord was a true battleground, with 375 players from 40 nations - including 100 GMs - fighting for €100,000 in prizes and 20 coveted spots in the 2025 FIDE World Cup. The drama peaked in the final rounds as Bluebaum's steady play (including two quick draws to finish) combined with Svane's crucial last-round victory over early leader Daniil Yuffa to create the championship tie.
Yuffa's tournament was a story of what might have been - the Russian GM dominated early, remaining perfect through four rounds and leading until Round 7. His campaign included a miraculous escape against Jorden van Foreest in Round 5, where he somehow won despite being a pawn down in the endgame. But losses to both Bluebaum and Svane in the crucial final rounds dashed his gold medal hopes.
Svane's silver medal performance was equally dramatic, with back-to-back must-win victories to close the event. His final round win over Yuffa featured a brave pawn sacrifice to avoid a draw by repetition, while his Round 10 victory against Szymon Gumularz was so complex he admitted afterward: "I was lucky I didn't blunder anything."
This championship had everything - early leaders falling, clutch performances when it mattered most, and history being made. As Bluebaum lifts his second European trophy, the chess world now turns its attention to the World Cup qualifiers, where these top finishers will continue their quest towards the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
Final Podium:
🥇 Matthias Bluebaum (GER)
🥈 Frederik Svane (GER)
🥉 Maxim Rodshtein (ISR)