Montenegro Chess League 2025 – Watch Live

From May 1st to May 8th, the coastal town of Herceg Novi, Montenegro, plays host to an elite chess tournament that combines local passion with international strength. The 2025 edition of this event features a 10-team round-robin format, with games played under a classical time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, and a 30-second increment per move.

This prestigious gathering has brought together a deep and diverse field of grandmasters, international masters, and titled players from Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Russia, Bosnia, and beyond. The tournament not only showcases top-level talent from the Balkans but also gives young Montenegrin players the opportunity to gain valuable experience.

Standout Performers So Far

As of the current stage, GM Nikita Petrov (MNE) and GM Denis Kadric (MNE) lead the pack with 4 points each, delivering consistent and sharp performances. They are closely followed by IM Alexakis Dimitris (GRE), who has made a strong statement with 4 points and a rating gain of +10, proving that Greece is also a rising force on the regional chess scene.

Other notable players include:

• GM Alexandr Predke (SRB), one of the top seeds, sitting at 3 points after a surprising early loss.
• GM Dragisa Blagojevic (MNE), showing steady form with 3 points.
• IM Nikola Radovanovic (SRB), gaining momentum with 4 points and a +6 Elo boost.
• FM Andrej Sukovic (MNE), one of the surprise packages of the event, with an impressive +15 Elo and 4 points.

The event also sees seasoned veterans like GM Milos Perunovic (SRB) and GM Dragan Kosic (MNE) clashing with up-and-comers such as Jovan Jovancevic and Djorde Zizic, both of whom have gained over 30 Elo points so far.

A Tournament for All Levels

While the top boards are fiercely contested, the lower boards have also produced inspiring stories. Local FM-level and candidate master players, including Veljko Draganic (+15) and Rodoljub Pikula, have managed to punch above their weight against higher-rated opponents. It’s this mix of experience, hunger, and opportunity that gives the Herceg Novi event its unique charm.