Sissy (8-3) won the first at-board of the evening against Harry (3-8) by a score of 8-7, thus making sure she would keep the top spot on the table after DRR3.

Earlier this day, the Board had announced that the 2025 XLeague Masters would be discontinued after completion of the third of four DRR originally scheduled. Play had been suspended for a month due to a back injury to Harry.

As all finishing places had been determined by Sissy’s win – with Nici (5-5) in second place – the remaining at-boards were cancelled upon the players’ consent.

Harry 7-8 Sissy

Harry had the better start into the game and took the early lead by saving YLW1. Sissy then took the lead by 2-1 and 3-2 before Harry stormed ahead 6-3.

As Harry had to save 4&2, Sissy had the tactical advantage as she maintained the perfect order of pawns saved and, consequently, got to draw level at 6-6.

Shortly after Harry had reclaimed the lead at 7-6, Sissy saved both GRN4 and RED4, converting her second match point on a “1” to finish the game after 46 minutes of play with Harry’s BLK4 only nine fields from home.

No XLeague Winner

As three quarters of the Round Robin Series originally scheduled had been played, Sissy was declared Round-Robin Winner of the 2025 XLeague Masters.

However, as the Playoff Series were cancelled, there is no official XLeague Winner to be presented with the trophy.

Sissy accepted the title of Round-Robin Winner. “I did consider renouncing the title in case I was awarded it,” she said. “But as the Board, we had decided in advance that the table leader should get it as three quarters of the at-boards originally scheduled would have been played. Otherwise, resuming play would have made no sense. But I’ll put an asterisk on it.”