D Gukesh at Clutch Chess Champions Showdown 2025: Format, time control schedule, prize money – All you need to know
The 2025 Clutch Chess Champions Showdown, the highest-rated chess tournament of the year, will get underway in Missouri on Monday.
The competition will feature World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura, World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana, and World Champion D Gukesh.
Here is all you need to know about 2025 Clutch Chess Champions Showdown:
When and where is the tournament happening?
The 2025 Clutch Chess Champions Showdown will happen at the newly expanded Saint Louis Chess Club from October 27 to 29.
What is the format?
The 2025 Clutch Chess Champions Showdown will feature nine rounds and 18 games, comprising three double round-robin stages played under rapid time control (10 minutes plus a 5-second increment).
There will be escalating point values each day – wins are worth one point on Day 1, two points on Day 2, and three points on Day 3, making the event a comeback-friendly one.
Tiebreaks format
What is the prize money on offer?
The 2025 Clutch Chess Champions Showdown has a total prize fund of $412,000. The top four prizes will be distributed as follows: $120,000, $90,000, $70,000, and $60,000 for first to fourth place, respectively.
An additional $72,000 will be awarded in bonus prizes — on Day 1, each win is worth $1,000; on Day 2, $2,000; and on Day 3, $3,000.
The prize money from each drawn game will be added to a Champions’ Jackpot, which will be claimed by the tournament winner.
2025 Clutch Chess Champions Showdown Schedule
October 27 – Rounds 1-3 (10:30 PM IST)
October 28 – Rounds 4-6 (10:30 PM IST)
October 29 – Rounds 7-9 (10:30 PM IST), followed by Playoffs (if necessary)
Published on Oct 27, 2025