ChessATC

All Things about Chess

News World Chess News

Daniil Yuffa grabs sole lead half way into EICC 2025 – Part 1

Tarun Kanyamarala 0
Daniil Yuffa with EICC 2025 Banner

GM Daniil Yuffa is off to great start at the European Individual Chess Championship (EICC 2025). Winning 5 back to wins. After round 6 he grabs the sole lead with half a point.

Round 1

Alexandru-Vasile David v Yuffa Daniil: Outplaying in an equal Queen endgame

Daniil Yuffa R1: Critical moment
On 14th move, white decided to focus on the queenside, planning to play c2-c4. How should black react?

After a series of exchanges, the game reached a heavy pieces endgame with Double Rook + Q for both sides. The following position is equal and some would start thinking to offer a draw. Personally I would too. However Daniil Yuffa squeezes water from stone.

Daniil Yuffa R1: Critical moment
Black to play, how should black improve his position?

Also Read: EICC 2025 R1: Sarana Taken by Ambulance

Round 2

Daniil Yuffa v Balazs Csonka: Opening a locked endgame

We witness yet another Endgame this time without queen. This makes the endgame more nuaced. From personally experience having queen on the board reduces any side to have enough time to implement their idea because Queen’s can easily sabotage the plans with the high mobility.

Daniil Yuffa R2: Critical moment
Black has just declared his play is on the queen side. Which side of the board white should play?
Daniil Yuffa R2: Critical moment
Black’s kings seems to be running towards the queen side. How should white exploit this?

Round 3

Dominik Horvath v Daniil Yuffa: Knights are better in static positions

In this game Daniil showcased his skills for handling static positions. One might ask what is static mean in chess? Basically it’s where the pawns are fixed and with very few no pawn breaks. Such scenario makes the game more maneuvering. Usually in such position knight tend do well as we see in this game.

Daniil Yuffa R3: Critical moment
White has a slightly better position. White need to make a radical decision otherwise his advantage fades away.

Also Watch the LIVE commentary: European Chess Union Youtube Channel

Tarun Kanyamarala

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarun-kanyamarala

Tarun, Ireland's youngest International Master (IM) and represents Ireland at the highest level. In 2022, he became Irish Champion. His sister Trisha is a Women International Master and both have played tournament across the globe to nearly 40 countries, from Mexico to Japan. He's secured numerous tournament victories in Ireland and Europe. His goal: become Ireland's first homegrown Grandmaster and elevate chess to a recognized sport.

Related Story