After a 1-1 draw in two standard chess games, Le Quang Liem (elo 2,729) and Alexander Donchenko (elo 2,641) had to settle things in a tie-break match of rapid and blitz chess in round 5 of the 2025 Chess World Cup .

The tie-break format consists of 2 rapid games of 15 minutes plus 10 seconds for each move. If the game is tied, 2 rapid games of 10 minutes plus 10 seconds for each move will be played. If the game is still tied, the 2 players will play blitz with 2 games of 5 minutes plus 3 seconds for each move. If the game is still tied, 2 blitz games of 3 minutes plus 2 seconds for each move will be played.

In the first game of rapid chess, Le Quang Liem held the white pieces (going first) but made a mistake. German player Alexander Donchenko did not miss the opportunity, winning after 39 moves. In the second round of rapid chess, despite holding the black pieces (going later), Quang Liem showed his mettle, defeating Alexander Donchenko after 39 moves.

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Quang Liem regrettably lost in the tie-break series of rapid and blitz chess. Photo: FIDE

After being tied in the first two rapid games, Le Quang Liem and Alexander Donchenko entered the next rapid game with a shortened playing time of 10 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. Quang Liem played white in the first game, and despite some excellent moves, he still lost after 88 moves. However, when playing black in the next game, Vietnam's number 1 player won after 47 moves.

After 4 draws in rapid chess games, Le Quang Liem and Alexander Donchenko entered the blitz chess series (5 minutes plus 3 seconds for each move). In the first blitz game, Le Quang Liem held the white pieces and drew with his opponent after 31 moves. It was thought that Vietnam's number 1 player had a chance to win the final, but unfortunately, Le Quang Liem held the black pieces in the second blitz game and lost to Alexander Donchenko after 48 moves, thereby winning 4.5-3.5 to enter the quarterfinals.

Although he could not continue, Quang Liem made history by reaching the 5th round of the World Chess Cup for the first time. This achievement brought him a prize of 25,000 USD.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/le-quang-liem-dung-buoc-tai-world-cup-co-vua-2025-2463314.html