Pack Joins Elite List of Aces With Title!

The 2025 tournament was the 20th for Ace of Aces at the World Boardgaming Championships. In those previous 19 tournaments, there have only been seven different players to come out on top to be named the Ace of Aces. This 20th tournament has now given us our 8th champion. Congratulations to David-John Pack for becoming that 8th Ace of Aces in WBC history. Before we get to the Final Circus results though, here are the winners of the 2025 tournament pre-Final awards and recognitions:

• The “Put the book down!" ribbon (most flights): Valerie Chesnut (17)
• The “Manfred Mann von Richthofen Blinded by the Light Medal of Greatness" (most wins): David-John Pack, Bill Burtless, Hayden Chesnut (9)
• The “René Foncky Cold Medina" trophy (most points per flight): Richard Irving (4.08)
• The “Billy Pew-Pew Bishop" plaque (best damage ratio): Hayden Chesnut (1.9/1)
• The “Lost in the Clouds" patch (most draws): Richard Irving (4)
• The “Page 20 Disciple" recognition (closest ratio of damage inflicted to damage received): Riley Gleaton (12.5/12)

The Final Circus

The Final Circus featured a three way tie for the 2 seed this year between David-John Pack, Bill Burtless, and Hayden Chesnut. The 1 seed was Richard Irving, leaving Matt Chesnut as the 5 seed and Valerie Chesnut as the 6 seed. Yes, that is three Chesnut’s in the Final hosted in the Chestnut room, and the 2nd final of the day between father/son duo Matt and Hayden (Charioteer).

Hayden was the relative newcomer to the game, but had an impressive tournament with three wins, two losses, and a draw against fellow finalists coming in. Unfortunately, the Final Circus is a different ball game, and the lack of experience caught up to him as he failed to secure a win in the round robin Final. He fought hard and managed to damage his opponents but finished the tournament in sixth place.

Coming out on top was perennial top 3 pilot David-John Pack. David-John had a very impressive Final Circus with four wins and a loss. The one loss being to GM Matt Chesnut. His biggest win was over four time champion Richard Irving, as those two both ended the Final Circus with a 4-1 record, so the head to head result is what decided the tournament.