Le Quang Liem Triumphs Over Vishy Anand in Leon Masters 2025 Final
In a thrilling conclusion to the 38th León Masters, Vietnam’s Le Quang Liem decisively defeated Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand in the final on July 6, 2025. The world’s 22nd-ranked grandmaster showcased his precision, securing a 3-1 victory in a one-sided affair.
The match saw an initial draw, followed by two consecutive wins for Le, and a final draw, ending Anand’s hopes of an 11th Leon Masters title. Liem displayed a textbook Catalan play in game 2, with the white pieces.
Another highlight of the tournament was the semifinal clash between Anand and 11-year-old Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro, dubbed the “Messi of Chess.” In a tense battle, Anand edged out Oro in the Blitz tiebreak, recovering from a shaky rapid section. The first four rapid games ended in draws, with Oro missing key chances in the second game. The match went to blitz tie-breaks, where Anand outshone the young speed chess beast, advancing to the final. Le’s commanding performance in the final underscored his consistency in speed chess formats, while the Anand-Oro duel captivated fans, highlighting the clash of generations at this prestigious rapid knockout event.
