World Blitz in Doha: Tight race in Open as Eline Roebers leads Women’s event
After 13 rounds, Arjun Erigaisi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Fabiano Caruana share the lead in the Open section of the FIDE World Blitz Championship with 10 points each. In the Women’s Blitz, the Netherlands’ Eline Roebers emerged as the sole leader with 8.5/10. The 2025 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championships started in Doha on Monday, December 29. Day one featured 13 rounds in the Open and ten in the Women’s competition. A trio of players tops the Open standings. Arjun Erigaisi, who moved into first place in Round 11, has enjoyed a stellar run, including a dramatic win over Magnus Carlsen when the Norwegian’s piece flew off the board and his time expired. Erigaisi’s only defeat came at the hands of Jorden van Foreest. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave recovered from an early setback in Round 2 to join the leaders by Round 12. Finally, Fabiano Caruana surged to the top with a strong finish, including a lucky victory over Carlsen, who blundered a rook. The leaders are chased by six players on 9.5 points. The co-champions from 2024, Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi, sit on 9/13. In the Women’s event, Eline Roebers defeated Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 9 to tie for the lead, then outplayed Argentina’s Candela Francisco Guecamburu with Black in Round 10, securing the sole lead. Goryachkina, Umida Omonova (the sole leader after Round 6), and former Women’s World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova trail by half a point with 8/10. The Open Blitz The first sole leader in the Open emerged after Round 6 – Jorden van Foreest was the only player with a 100% score. The 26-year-old Dutchman, who won the Dutch championship this year, defeated the likes of Firouzja and Erigaisi. In Round 7, van Foreest fell to Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who briefly joined a six-way tie for the lead at 6/7. Things didn’t go well for them after that, and both finished the day on 8/13. By the end of Round 10, Arjun Erigaisi stood alone at the top with 8.5/10, having drawn only once (with Firouzja) and lost once (to van Foreest). Entering the final round of the day, three players were tied at 9.5/12: Erigaisi, Vachier-Lagrave, and Caruana (who joined the lead by beating Carlsen). All three drew their final games: MVL with Caruana and Erigaisi with Daniil Dubov. With other games on top boards ending in draws, the trio remains at the top after day one. Magnus Carlsen finished on 9/13. He suffered two big setbacks – losing to Erigaisi on time and overlooking a rook against Fabiano Caruana. Magnus also drew four games – with Javokhir Sindarov, Oleksandr Bortnyk, Jorden van Foreest, and Alexander Grischuk. With six rounds remaining, Carlsen will need to sharpen his game if he wants to reach the top four. Top 10 after Day 1 – Blitz Open The Blitz drama: When pieces fly off the board The moment that captured the full drama of the World Blitz event happened in Round 9. Magnus Carlsen was fighting a tense endgame with India’s top player Arjun Erigaisi. The Indian had nine seconds on his clock while Carlsen was down to three. Just as Carlsen was about to make a queen move, his queen slipped off his hand flew off the table. Alexander Grischuk, who happened to be passing by at that moment, jumped and tried to move out of the way quickly. By the time Carlsen picked up his queen and put it back on the board, his time had already run out. The Norwegian couldn’t hide his anger, slamming his fist on the table. The Women’s Blitz As in the Open, the first sole leader in the Women’s Blitz emerged after Round 6. Uzbekistan’s Umida Omonovadefeated a whole field of strong players, including Koneru, Danielian, Lagno, and Yip, to reach the top. In Round 7, Omonova lost to Aleksandra Goryachkina, who took the lead and held it for the next three rounds (despite losing as Black to Eline Roebers in round nine). In the final round of the day, Goryachkina drew as White on board one with former Women’s World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova, putting them both on eight points. Meanwhile, on board two, Eline Roebers defeated Candela Francisco Guecamburu with the black pieces. With 8.5/10, Roebers ended the day as the sole leader. Behind her are Goryachkina, Omonova, and Stefanova, all on eight points. The defending Women’s World Champion in the Blitz Ju Wenjun finished the day on 5.5 points, just above 50%. With five more rounds to go in the Women’s Blitz, Ju has almost no chance of reaching the knockouts. Top 10 after Day 1 – Blitz Women From knockouts to “sudden death” games: The rules of the Blitz format The World Blitz Championships are made up of two stages. The first is a large Swiss tournament (19 rounds in the Open, 15 in the Women’s event). The top four players then advance to the knockout stage, which consists of four-game matches. The knockout format in the Blitz was first introduced in the 2024 event, when it featured eight players. The change from last year is that the number of players who qualify for the knockouts is four instead of eight. If the score is even after four blitz games, one sudden death game shall be played to determine the winner of the match. In the previous edition in New York, Ju Wenjun won the Blitz crown. In the Open, the title was shared jointly by Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi after the two ended up in a series of hard-fought draws. The two-day event features 150 players in the Open and 140 in the Women’s competition, fighting for the prize fund worth just over half a million euros (nearly 600,000 USD). With the time control of three minutes plus a two-second increment per move, starting from move one, this tournament is traditionally the sharpest and most electrifying chess event of the year, with surprises and setbacks in almost every round. The standings after Day 1 of the 2025
Carlsen and Goryachkina take World Rapid titles in Doha
Magnus Carlsen claimed his sixth World Rapid Championship title with a score of 10.5/13, finishing a full point ahead of the field. The women’s crown went to Aleksandra Goryachkina, who defeated Zhu Jiner in a blitz playoff. The 2025 FIDE World Rapid concluded in Doha on Sunday evening with new World Champions in both the Open and the Women’s competitions. After a stumble on day two, Magnus Carlsen came back on the final day of the rapid in full force, scoring three consecutive victories – against Sarana, Niemann and Erdogmus. The Norwegian entered the final round with a one-point lead over Vladislav Artemiev and Hans Niemann. Facing Anish Giri as White, he quickly drew, which was enough for Carlsen to claim his sixth crown in the World Rapid (2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025). “It was a big field with a lot of strong players. The serious advantage that I have is that I play for first place when I’m appearing here, while most other players are thinking about getting a good prize and maybe a medal. That gives me a huge psychological advantage,” said Carlsen after his victory. When asked to compare this Rapid crown to the previous five, Carlsen remarked: “What stands out is that I managed to beat everyone who is not a top player, something I’m very happy with. Overall, except for the start on day two, which was horrendous, everything else was really good for me here.” The second place in the World Rapid was shared by four players, all on 9.5 points: Vladislav Artemiev, Arjun Erigaisi, Hans Niemann, and Leinier Dominguez Perez. Artemiev – the only player to defeat Carlsen in the event – took silver, while Arjun Erigaisi claimed bronze. Hans Niemann missed out on a medal by 0.5 Buchholz points (a tie-breaking system in chess that ranks players based on the sum of points of all of their opponents in the tournament). In the Women’s Rapid, three players were tied for the lead before the final round: Zhu Jiner, Aleksandra Goryachkina, and defending champion Humpy Koneru, all on 8/10 points. In Round 11, both Zhu and Goryachkina drew their games. Koneru, the only leader with a chance to take sole first place, had a completely winning endgame against compatriot Shri B. Savitha but misplayed in time trouble, allowing Savitha to escape with a draw. According to the regulations, in case of a tie for first place, only the top two players (based on tiebreaks) went to the playoff finals. To Koneru’s misfortune, she wasn’t one of them. Instead, Goryachkina and Zhu contested two blitz games. Goryachkina quickly won the first and drew the second to secure the title. This is the first World Rapid crown for Goryachkina, who was the World Champion challenger in 2020 in classical time control. Zhu Jiner, who led for most of the tournament, finished in second place. After winning gold in New York in 2024, Humpy Koneru takes home the bronze medal from Doha. The action continues on Monday, December 29, with the start of the two-day World Blitz Championship in both the Open and Women’s categories. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Anna Shtourman and Lennart Ootes Where to follow: The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Maurice Ashley, Peter Leko and IM Jovanka Houska. About the event: The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 are taking place in Doha, Qatar from 25 to 30 December, bringing together the world’s elite chess talent for a thrilling end-of-year showdown. Held at the Sports and Events Complex, Qatar University, this edition features both Open and Women’s events in Rapid and Blitz formats, with a total prize fund of over €1,000,000. Doha returns as host after nine years, underscoring Qatar’s growing stature in the chess world.
Drama in Doha as Carlsen stumbles
After two days of FIDE World Rapid in Doha, Vladislav Artemiev and Hans Niemann share the lead in the Open on 7.5/9. In the Women’s Rapid, Zhu Jiner maintained her position at the top, but is joined by defending champion Humpy Koneru, with both ending the day on 6.5/8. In the Open event, Magnus Carlsen – who had 4.5/5 on day one – was put on the back foot on day two, starting with a draw and a defeat. Instead, it was Vladislav Artemiev (who defeated Carlsen) and Hans Niemann who shone, ending the day as joint leaders. They are chased by four players half a point behind: Carlsen, Sarana, Erdogmus and Abdusattorov. Zhu Jiner continued strongly in the Women’s Rapid and is now level with Humpy Koneru, who scored 3.5 points in four games. Both are on 6.5/8. They are trailed by as many as ten players on 6/8. The Open Rapid The standout players of the day in the Open were Vladislav Artemiev and Hans Niemann. One of the co-leaders on day one, Artemiev was in great form on day two. He opened with a victory as Black against India’s Arjun Erigaisi, coming back from a lost position and playing much of the game on increment. After Round 6 he became the sole leader of the tournament, with a half-point advantage. In Round 7, Artemiev defeated Carlsen in a game where the world’s top-rated player made a grave mistake on move 15, which cost him dearly. This win put Artemiev on 6.5 points, a full point ahead of the field. Artemiev concluded the day with two calm draws with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alexey Sarana. “I am pleased with my performance, and everything is feeling good,” Artemiev told FIDE in a brief comment. Artemiev is joined at the top by Hans Niemann, who scored 3.5/4, conceding only a draw to compatriot Ray Robson. After a 4.5/5 on day one, Carlsen’s performance on day two slipped. In the first game of the day, in round six, he played the Sicilian against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Things didn’t go that well for Carlsen, who found himself with tripled pawns on the e-file and spent more time looking for the moves. After transitioning to a rook endgame where White had a 4-3 pawn advantage, it was clear that the best outcome for Carlsen was a draw. After testing Carlsen for a few moves, MVL agreed to split a point. Then came a huge upset for Carlsen in round seven. After surrendering on move 30, the Norwegian stormed out of the playing hall, visibly unhappy. Carlsen bounced back in Round 8, with a comfortable victory against Armenian GM Shant Sargsyan in the Italian Game. In Round 9, he faced US GM Ray Robson (who had held Hans Niemann to a draw in Round 7). Carlsen was better on time and managed to secure an extra pawn in the center. Robson resisted for a while, often having less than 10 seconds on his clock, but eventually capitulated in a hopeless position. With two straight victories, Carlsen joined the group of four players on seven points. It includes Abdusattorov, Sarana, and 2446-rated prodigy from Türkiye Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. The 14-year-old teenager netted 3.5/4 today, defeating the likes of Joren Van Foreest and Nihal Sarin in the last two rounds. World Champion in classical chess, Gukesh D, had an uneven performance on day two. Starting with two draws, in Round 8 he prevailed over Spain’s David Anton in a topsy-turvy game. However, in the following round he was completely dismantled by Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the King’s Indian Attack. With this defeat, Gukesh finished on 6.5 points. Defending Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin improved his performance, but only somewhat. After three defeats and two victories on day one, Murzin made a draw and two victories in Rounds 6, 7, and 8. However, in the last round of the day, he fell as White to Vahap Sanal after trapping his queen. He is now at 50% with 4.5/9. Seasoned heavyweight Levon Aronian, who had a great performance this year, is also one of the top players struggling in Doha. After scoring 3/5 on day one, he began the second day with two defeats. Levon bounced back with two wins and is now on 5/9. Ian Nepomniachtchi started the day with a loss with the white pieces in the game against Maksim Chigaev. The two-time candidate for the title of World Champion in classical chess responded with two draws and a win, finishing the day on 6/9. The Women’s Rapid The women’s event remains extremely tight. While the Open section of the Rapid had five rounds on day one, the women’s section had four. By the end of Round 7, defending champion Humpy Koneru emerged as the sole leader on six points, followed by eight players on 5.5. She was on six points, followed by eight players on 5.5 points. Among the chasers was Aleksandra Goryachkina, who has been very consistent in the tournament so far. After starting the day with a game against Zhu Jiner, Goryachkina finished it with the round seven leader, Koneru. Playing against the Petrov, Goryachkina emerged clearly better from the opening but erroneously grabbed a pawn on move 24, giving the opponent sufficient counterplay. The game ended in a draw, which was enough to secure Humpy a shared first place. Day 1 leader Zhu Jiner drew her round-five game against Goryachkina in an even endgame. Two more draws followed – against top contenders Nino Batsiashvili and Mariya Muzychuk. In the final round of the day in the Women’s event Zhu was facing World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh. Following interesting complications in the middlegame, the opponents landed in an unbalanced but roughly equal position. However, Divya’s seemingly harmless move 30…e4 turned out to be a blunder costing her the game. With this victory, Zhu scored 6.5 points and joined Koneru in the lead. World Champion in classical chess, Ju Wenjun, suffered a major setback at the
Magnus Carlsen and Zhu Jiner set early pace on day one in Doha
Norwegian Magnus Carlsen leads a group of five players on 4.5 points after five rounds in the open section of the FIDE World Rapid. China’s Zhu Jiner is the sole leader in the women’s section – the only player to achieve a perfect 4/4. The 2025 edition of the FIDE World Rapid kicked off at the Sports and Events Complex of Qatar University. With several hundred spectators in attendance, the tournament’s atmosphere was focused and professional as the year’s final world championship moved from ceremony to competition. The Open Rapid After five rounds on day one, five players share the lead in the Rapid: Magnus Carlsen, Arjun Erigaisi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Vladislav Artemiev and the reigning World Champion in classical chess, Gukesh D. At the opening press conference on Thursday (December 25), Carlsen said that he had come to Doha to win. He backed up those words with four convincing victories in the first four rounds. But in round five he was facing Arjun Erigaisi – one of the leading players of the new generation. In the Queen’s Gambit Declined, the two went for a line which quickly transitioned into an equal queen and rook endgame. Famous for his excellent technique and ability to “squeeze water from a stone”, Carlsen pushed hard. They eventually reached a rook ending where Carlsen had two extra “f” and “h” pawns. This theoretically drawn position requires precision from the weaker side which Erigaisi demonstrated, denying Carlsen the perfect score on day one. After a turbulent performance at the Global Chess League in Mumbai, the World Champion Gukesh D had a great run on day one in Doha. Starting with a draw in round one, he went on to score four victories to join the leaders. Defending World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin had a difficult opening day and finishing on just two points. He suffered his first setback as early as round two at the hands of his compatriot Rudik Makarian. He went on to lose two more games before making a comeback in round five. With 2/5, his chances of retaining the crown won in New York in 2024 appear slim. Another slow starter in the World Rapid is Praggnanandhaa. The elite world player won his first-round game, but then made two draws. In round four, he suffered a loss as Black to more than 150 points lower-rated Levan Pantsulaia, ending the day on a disappointing note. Vasyl Ivanchuk – who won the World Rapid in Doha in 2016 – is also on three points, drawing four games after his first-round victory. The Women’s Rapid Zhu Jiner holds the sole lead in the Women’s Rapid section after winning all four of her games today. The Chinese GM dominated from the outset, securing strong positions in every encounter – including against seasoned opponents such as Armenian Grandmaster Elina Danielian and Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze. In Round 5, she will face Aleksandra Goryachkina, the former Women’s World Championship challenger. https://youtu.be/vyPsqAnQV38 As many as seven players are trailing Zhu by half a point. Leading the chase is Nino Batsiashvili, who also performed strongly in the recently concluded Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. Joining her are two former Women’s World Champions Mariya Muzychuk and Antoaneta Stefanova, former women’s challenger Aleksandra Goryachkina, India’s Harika Dronavalli, Song Yuxin (who stunned the field with her run at the Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand) and Sara Khadem. Former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi was one of the biggest tragic figures of the day. In round three, she had a completely wining position against none other than the winner of the Women’s Grand Swiss, Vaishali Rameshbabu. However, in time trouble, Tan blundered overlooking a back-rank checkmate – a rare oversight at this level. With victories in all three other games, it is fair to say that Zhu deserved to be in the lead; but in rapid chess, luck and misfortune are also big factors. Defending Women’s Rapid Champion Humpy Koneru also sits on 3 points, with two wins and two draws. Meanwhile, the reigning Women’s World Champion in classical chess, Ju Wenjun, ended the day on 3 points as well. In Round 1, she was held to a surprising draw by Azerbaijan’s Govhar Beydullayeva, rated over 300 points lower. Playing White, Beydullayeva seized the initiative early and maintained an edge for most of the game. Ju escaped only by sacrificing material to reach a technical draw – a bare king versus a pawn and a bishop and of the “wrong color”. After winning in Round 2, Ju suffered another minor setback in Round 3, missing a clear chance to win material as Black against Umida Omonova, settling for another draw. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Maurice Ashley, Peter Leko and IM Jovanka Houska. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Anna Shtourman and Lennart Ootes
WRB starts in Doha – the pearl of the chess world
The 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships were officially opened in Doha, marking the start of one of the most watched chess events globally. As players and guests gathered in the playing arena at the Sports and Events Complex of Qatar University, the ceremony opened with a performance by the traditional Qatari music group Farkah. Dressed in national clothing and accompanied by drums, the ensemble performed “Today is the happiest day”, a song traditionally associated with the beginning of celebrations. The formal part of the ceremony began with the intonation of anthems of Qatar and FIDE, followed by an artistic performance symbolizing the battle of black and white pieces on the chessboard. The president of the Qatar Chess Federation Mohammed Al Mudahka – the country’s first Grandmaster – greeted the guests and wish them a warm and pleasant experience in the country which proudly calls itself “the global capital of sport.” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich reminded that Doha was a successful host of the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in 2016, noting that FIDE was proud to return “to a country which supports chess,” pointing to events such as the Qatar Masters. He added that “chess has a home in Qatar,” and linked the message to the country’s heritage with the line that Qatar is “the pearl of the chess world.” Dvorkovich thanked the hosts, the Qatari Chess Federation and its president Mohammed Al Mudahka, for welcoming the chess community “with warmth and open arms”. Turning to the players, Dvorkovich said the World Rapid and Blitz “traditionally marks an exciting end to the year,” and that this edition should be no different. “I wish the players the best of luck, fair play, good games and great experiences here in Doha,” he said. “May the best player win and may the spirit of chess flourish.” The ceremonial opening concluded with Dvorkovich and Al Mudahka making symbolic first moves on a chessboard, before moving to the top-boards in the Open and the Women’s section. The first event to take place is the World Rapid Championship, with 300 players from all over the world are taking part. The World Rapid consists of 13 rounds, with five rounds taking place on day one in both the Open and the Women’s event. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Anna Shtourman and Lennart Ootes
Opening Press Conference Sets the Stage for 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships
The official opening press conference of the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships was held on 25 December at the Rosewood Hotel in Doha, marking the formal start of one of the most closely followed events on the international chess calendar. The championships bring together the world’s leading players to compete for four world titles across rapid and blitz in both the Open and Women’s sections. The event will take place in Doha from 26 to 30 December and features a total prize fund of more than €1,000,000 across the Open and Women’s competitions. The Open Rapid Championship includes 251 players, while the Open Blitz Championship features 254 players. The Women’s events bring together a field of 142 players. The line-up includes reigning world champions, elite speed chess specialists, and leading contenders representing federations from around the world. The press conference opened with remarks from Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE, who welcomed players and guests to Doha and thanked the hosts and partners for staging the event. “We are very pleased to be here in Doha, Qatar, just one day before the opening of the World Rapid and Blitz Championships,” he said. Praising the host city, he described Qatar as “a beautiful place with a rich and successful chess history” and noted that players “really love this place, which is why they have all come here to show their best qualities.” Placing the championships in the wider sporting context, Dvorkovich highlighted the strength of the season leading into Doha. “We are coming back from a few important events, including the World Cup and the Mahindra Global Chess League,” he said, adding that many of the same players are now competing for world titles. Looking ahead, he emphasised the growing role of fast chess, noting that “we expect a real fight and a lot of fun for spectators,” and that “looking ahead to the coming years, we will see more and more faster formats in chess.” He was followed by Mohammed Al-Mudahka, President of Qatar Chess, who welcomed the speakers, players, and media and highlighted the scale of the championships. “This championship has set a world record for participation,” he said. “We have almost 300 players competing across all formats.” Addressing the media, he added that the event offers “a very special opportunity to meet three reigning world champions” and concluded by noting that the tournament is “just one day away from what promises to be the very best World Rapid and Blitz Championship.” Attention then turned to the players, with reigning World Chess Champion Gukesh D. sharing his thoughts ahead of the rapid and blitz competitions. Reflecting on his approach to the event, he said: “Playing well in any format is quite important, but in general, rapid and blitz have been slightly less of a priority for me than classical events.” He added that this allows him to approach the championships with freedom, explaining, “I am here to play, to experiment, to enjoy myself, and simply to play chess with the aim of learning and gaining experience.” Reigning Women’s World Chess Champion and Women’s Blitz Champion Ju Wenjun also addressed the media, speaking about competing across formats. “There are three different formats in chess, and all of them are quite difficult to win,” she said, adding that “for me, rapid and blitz are more fun and more exciting.” Looking ahead to the event, she noted, “I am really looking forward to the tournament, and I hope I can play some very nice games.” Former World Champion Magnus Carlsen returns to Doha as the reigning co-Blitz Champion and attended the press conference alongside his family. Asked about becoming a father, Carlsen said, “I love being a husband and a father. It has been a fantastic experience this year.” He added with a smile that “neither my wife nor my son are too much of a help when it comes to chess advice yet,” before underlining his competitive focus: “I am here to win, as always. That does not change.” When questioned about his motivation for the event, Carlsen stated that he is competing to win, while also noting with a smile that there are expectations in Norway for him to provide good holiday entertainment. Overall, the players appeared in positive spirits heading into the championships. The press conference concluded with the traditional drawing of lots, conducted by Chief Arbiter Nebojsa Baralic, to determine the colours for the top-seeded players in both championships. The colours drawn will apply to the top board (board 1) and all odd-numbered boards in both the Rapid and Blitz Championships. As the top seed in the Open section, Magnus Carlsen drew the white pieces for the Rapid Championship and the black pieces for the Blitz, while Ju Wenjun drew the black pieces for the Rapid and the white pieces for the Blitz. The first games of the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championship will be played on 26 December at the Sports and Events Complex at Qatar University, with both the Open and Women’s sections competing in the same playing hall. Spectators wishing to attend the event in person can purchase tickets via the official ticketing platform. Written by Charlize van Zyl Photos: Lennart Ootes
Top contenders at FIDE World Rapid & Blitz in Doha
From Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi to Abdusattorov and Erigaisi, the top seeds in the Open arrive as clear – favourites yet face a hungry field of challengers. The final week of the calendar year means one thing in chess – The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships. The event traditionally brings together the best players in the world for a week-long event of high-stakes chess and drama, and 2025 is no exception. As per tradition, the greatest public interest is reserved for the Open section, which Magnus Carlsen has mostly dominated in recent years. While a new generation of super-GMs rising rapidly, the top-10 list of players in the Open in Doha is still dominated by seasoned players. Here is a look at the top players in the Open in the 2025 FIDE WRB by rating, vying for the top spots. Magnus Carlsen Magnus Carlsen arrives in Doha as the top seed in both Open Rapid (2824) and Open Blitz (2881) on the official participant list. He won the world rapid crown five times (2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023) and the world blitz as many as eight times (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024; albeit, the 2024 title is shared with Nepomniachtchi). With 12 total crowns, he is by far the most successful player in blitz and rapid formats. By his own confession, Carlsen is more interested in faster formats than classical chess. He continues to show that in 2025 – winning the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz in Croatia and taking the overall title in the “Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour” and the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup. However, this year’s appearance is different to previous ones at the WRB: Carlsen recently become a father which for most new parents usually means lack of sleep. Whether that will have an impact on his performance remains to be seen. Ian Nepomniachtchi Ian Nepomniachtchi is the second seed in both rapid and blitz in Doha, with ratings of 2762 and 2801 respectively. The two-time challenger for the title of world champion in classical chess has a collection of “almost victories” at the World Rapid and Blitz, with three silver and two bronze medals from in rapid (including from Warsaw 2021, where he finished second on tiebreak, behind Abdusattorov). He also has a silver medal from the 2014 World Blitz in Dubai. Nepomniachtchi’s biggest success so far is sharing first place in the 2024 World Blitz in New York. Alongside Carlsen, Nepomniachtchi has for years been one of the central figures of the chess world, winning or placing near the top of the biggest events. In Doha he will be one of the main candidates for the crown in both formats. Levon Aronian Levon Aronian is seeded third in rapid (2756) and fifth in blitz (2774). The last time he won the World Rapid was in 2009, and the World Blitz in 2010. At 43, he continues to hold his own against the hungry young lions coming up in chess. In 2025 he showed that he can still win the biggest events by defeating Carlsen in the final of the “Freestyle Chess Grand Slam” event in South Africa. With a long record of success in mixed rapid and blitz formats, Aronian is one of the toughest and most experiences competitors in Doha. Fabiano Caruana Fabiano Caruana is the fourth seed in rapid seventh in blitz, both with a rating of 2751. The former candidate for the world crown and five-time US champion, Caruana is a long-time member of the absolute elite of chess. He was among the top scorers in the 2024 WRB, and – when in form – he is extremely difficult to stop. In 2025 he continued to fight for top places in super-tournaments and will be one of the most formidable players in Doha. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave Seeded fifth in the rapid (2730), and 11th in blitz (2745), Maxime Vachier- Lagrave is one of the most established stars in fast chess formats. In 2021 he won the World Blitz crown, edging out Jan-Krzysztof Duda in his native Warsaw. With a long list of rapid and blitz titles, France’s long-time number player, MVL has maintained high consistency throughout the years. He will arrive in Doha straight from the Global Chess League in Mumbai, where he leads the team of upGrad Mumbai Masters fighting in season three of the event. Vladislav Artemiev Although only 27, Vladislav Artemiev has long been a fixture in elite chess events. The Russian GM has won multiple blitz and rapid titles from Russian championships and strong online events such as the Champions Chess Tour and the Speed Chess Championship. Rapid and blitz formats are Artemiev’s forte. In Samarkand, in 2023, he finished third in the World Blitz – behind Carlsen and Dubov. This is his only World Rapid/Blitz medal so far (having narrowly missed on a medal in blitz in Warsaw). In Doha, he will be looking to change this and secure a medal in either or both formats. Nodirbek Abdusattorov Nodirbek Abdusattorov first attracted global attention at the 2019 World Rapid and Blitz in Moscow, where he started the blitz tournament with 5/5 and then held Carlsen to a draw in round six in a very tense game. Since then, he rapidly rose to prominence, as a stellar exponent of Uzbekistan’s growing chess influence. The young Uzbek star has a World Rapid crown, which he won in 2021. He was the youngest ever World Rapid Champion at 17 years and three months. Now Uzbekistan’s biggest chess hope, he is on the rise, willing to take on anyone, hungry and strong, performing strongly wherever he appears. Abdusattorov’s main challenge will be to handle his ambition and steady the nerves as he fights with the old guard. Richard Rapport The Hungarian GM is recognized as one of the most original players at top-level; his games are among the most entertaining. In 2024 at the WRB Teams, he defeated Carlsen
Top 10 women players fighting for the crown in Doha
Women’s chess, like the Open, has its own cycles, storylines and stars. Doha will bring many of them together under one roof. Over the past few years, FIDE has pushed women’s chess up the agenda. The International Chess Federation declared 2022 the Year of the Woman in Chess and backed it with programs for girls, coaches and officials, as well as gender quotas in some official roles. The Commission for Women’s Chess now openly speaks of a “surge in the interest of women in chess” and sets its mission to make the game “beloved and accessible” to women worldwide. Still, there is a prevailing view in the wider chess community that more needs to be done to get women and girls playing chess. Women constitute only around 11 percent of FIDE members, according to a 2024 research paper on gender and chess. Yet the direction is clear: More national federations are fielding women’s teams. Ahead of the 45th Olympiad in Budapest, nine countries prepared female teams for the first time, helped by a dedicated FIDE project. Also for the first time in the Chess Olympiad, players who have small children were given support to bring over their children and a guardian, so they would not have to be separated during the long event. Prize funds are rising as well. The World Rapid and Blitz in Doha has a total purse of one million euros, with three hundred thousand reserved for the women’s events, split between rapid and blitz. The Women’s Grand Prix series has seen its overall prise fund jump from eighty thousand to one hundred twenty thousand euros, and the top prizes per tournament also increased. Some top events, such as Norway Chess, now run women’s super-tournaments with the same prize money as the open. Off the board, more women are visible as content creators and public figures. Rankings of “female chess influencers” already list several dozen active streamers and social media personalities. Players such as Anna Cramling or the Botez sisters show that a chess career today is not just about competition, but also about commentary and full-time streaming in front of global audiences. A 2024 survey of elite women players found that 65 percent believe a woman will one day win the overall world title, many expecting it within the next decade. In this wider shift, the women arriving in Doha for the World Rapid and Blitz form the top edge of the pyramid. The ten highest-rated players in the women’s field combine world title experience, blitz genius, and a mix of established champions and younger stars. These are the leaders of women’s fast chess in Doha. Ju Wenjun – the benchmark Top seed Ju Wenjun, with a rapid rating of 2530 on the entry list, comes to Doha as the player everyone else measures themselves against. In April she defended her Women’s World Championship title for the fifth time, beating Tan Zhongyi 6.5–2.5 in a match played in Shanghai and Chongqing. Earlier, she had already dominated the World Rapid and Blitz in New York. Ju won the 2024 Women’s World Blitz Championship, beating Lei Tingjie in an overtime final, and shared second to seventh place in the Women’s Rapid. She is not just a classical specialist. Ju is a complete all-around champion who handles every time control with calm and precision. In Doha, she is the natural favourite, but also the main target. Tan Zhongyi – fighter in every format Tan Zhongyi, second seed on 2507 and a former Women’s World Champion, has been locked in a rivalry with Ju for almost a decade. She earned her second world championship match by winning the 2024 Women’s Candidates Tournament with nine points from 14 games, finishing one and a half points ahead of the field. While she could not stop Ju in the 2025 title match, Tan scored the first win before the champion pulled away. In tournaments, Tan stays near the top in both classical and rapid. At the 2025 Women’s World Cup, she again reached the latter stages but was eliminated in the semifinals by the eventual winner IM Divya Deshmukh. Tan’s approach is practical and determined. She defends tough positions for hours and is equally ready to attack if a chance appears. In rapid and blitz, that ability to hold bad positions and keep the game going can be worth as much as sharp preparation. Aleksandra Goryachkina – Grand Prix leader and rapid star Aleksandra Goryachkina is another well-known face in women’s chess. Rated 2505, she is one of the strongest women players, a former world championship challenger and often a participant of Open rather than Women’s competition. Her recent performances have been strong. In 2024, she won the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid women’s event in Kolkata, scoring 7/9, staying undefeated and finishing a point and a half ahead of her nearest rival. In the same season, she took first place at the Shymkent leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, then followed it in February 2025 with victory in Monaco, again winning a three-way tie on tiebreak. Wins in Shymkent and Monaco secured her second-place finish in the overall Grand Prix standings (behind Zhu Jiner) and earn a spot in the next Candidates Tournament. Still, at the 2025 Women’s World Cup, she had a rough time and was eliminated early by Meruert Kamalidenova. In fast chess, Goryachkina is known for her excellent positional understanding and endgame technique. A camera-shy player, Goryachkina prefers to let the moves on the chessboard speak for her. Lei Tingjie – silver in New York, always in contention Lei Tingjie, seeded fourth on 2496, has been near the summit of women’s chess since her run to the 2023 world championship match against Ju Wenjun, which she lost by the narrowest of margins, 5.5 – 6.5. Last December, in New York, she reached the final of the 2024 Women’s World Blitz Championship and only lost to Ju in a dramatic, sudden-death finish. She also
The next generation of chess stars playing in Doha
A strong field of young talents is set to challenge the elite at the World Rapid and Blitz in Doha this December. Here are some of the names who may become the next kings and queens of the chessboard. In less than three weeks the eyes of the chess world will be on Doha – the capital of Qatar which, for the last week of the year, will be the world centre of chess, where the World Rapid and Blitz Champions will be decided. Usually, the main media interest is on the top-dogs – the 2700+ regulars who traditionally dominate big events: Carlsen, Gukesh, Nepomniachtchi, Caruana in the Open, or the likes of Ju Wenjun, Lei Tingjie, Goryachkina, Koneru, Lagno, Anna Muzychuk in the Women’s competition. But Doha will also be the stage for another story shaping chess – a generational showdown between the established stars and those whose rise is just beginning. Teenagers and even pre-teens are lining up on the same boards, facing the same clocks, testing themselves against the stars they grew up watching. Some already have grandmaster titles. Some have become national champions before they finished school. All of them are moving fast – both on and off the board. These are the rising stars in Doha. Young, ambitious, ruthless and fearless, staking their claim for the top. The Open GM Ivan Zemlyanskii (pictured above) – born in 2010, he already boasts a rating over 2590 in classical chess. In May 2024, at the age of just 13, Ivan became the youngest Russian grandmaster in history and one of the youngest in the world, after scoring his final norm at the Sharjah Masters. Since then, he has been closing in on the 2600 mark. GM Savva Vetokhin is another new name with serious results. Born in 2009, he is already a 2550 plus grandmaster and has a long line of youth medals. His titles include the World Under-10 champion, the World Under-14 Blitz champion, and a silver medal at the World Under-8 Rapid Championship. His commanding victory at the strong Sunway Sitges open in 2024, without a single loss, marked him out as a player to follow. GM Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş (pictured above) from Turkey, born in 2011, is the fourth-youngest grandmaster in history and the youngest player ever to reach 2600. He has already made strong impressions at events such as Grenke and the TePe Sigeman tournament. Coming across as confident both on and off the board, Erdoğmuş is recognised for his attacking style, demonstrated in the much talked about “Turkish Immortal” game against Aditya Mittal in the 2025 Grand Swiss. At just 14 and already a top 100 player, he will be one of the most closely watched prodigies in Doha. GM Ediz Gürel, also from Turkey, was born in 2008 and became a grandmaster in 2024. He won an individual bronze medal playing on board two for Turkey at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest in September 2024. In 2025, he made headlines by defeating reigning world champion Gukesh in Samarkand, becoming one of the youngest players ever to beat a reigning World Champion. That single game as well as his broader performance in Samarkand placed him firmly in the global spotlight. IM Faustino Oro (pictured above) of Argentina was born in 2013. Known as the “Messi of chess”, He became the first player under 12 to cross 2500 rating and to score a grandmaster norm. His unbeaten 7½ out of 9 at a Legends and Prodigies event in Madrid confirmed that his strength is not limited to junior tournaments. IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov from Uzbekistan, born in 2009, has a classical rating of 2454 and already holds the IM title. He is coming to Doha with the crown of the World Junior Rapid Champion, which he won in Lima, in September. His current rapid rating is 2411. Mukhammadzokhid has beaten several grandmasters in strong open tournaments, scored well in events such as the UzChess Cup, qualified from the Asian zonal to the 2025 World Cup and took third place in a Chessable Masters qualifier. IM Aldiyar Ansat (pictured above) of Kazakhstan – born in 2008 – became the chess champion of Kazakhstan in 2023 and has a rating in the high 2400s. Aldiyar has already won the Asian Zonal 3.4 Championship, earning a place in the 2025 World Cup. For a teenager, leading a strong and rising chess country in major events is a big statement. IM Erdem Khubukshanov, born in 2007, is another young star on the rise. His classical rating is around 2500 and his rapid and blitz ratings are around 2420. He has been scoring plus results in strong open tournaments and has established himself as part of the new generation of ambitious IMs who are close to grandmaster level. GM Ihor Samunenkov (pictured above) from Ukraine, born in 2009, is already a grandmaster with a standard rating close to 2580. He is seen as one of the leaders among the under 16 players worldwide, and his steady results in elite junior events have built him a reputation as a very solid and mature player for his age. GM Denis Lazavik, at 19, sits slightly above the usual age line for a junior event, but very much within the spirit of a rising star. He is a 2600 level grandmaster, one of the most successful young players in online and rapid chess, with strong results in elite internet tournaments and over the board opens. He is not yet a regular in the biggest classical super tournaments, which keeps him in the “still rising” group rather than the fully established elite. GM Bharath Subramaniyam H of India, born in 2007, became India’s 73rd grandmaster at the age of 14 years and two months. Now in the mid-2500s, he has a record full of strong international results and earlier youth titles. His pace of development has kept him in the conversation among India’s most promising young players. IM Lev Zverev,
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025: Tickets now available
The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships return to Doha this December, bringing five days of fast chess, high stakes, and a field packed with the biggest names in the game. Fans can watch the games live at Qatar University’s Sports and Events Complex, where the world’s best players will compete for four world titles and a share of a prize fund exceeding €1,000,000. Tickets are now on sale, and spectators can tailor their visit to Doha through four types of passes designed for different viewing preferences. Individual Rounds allow fans to drop in for specific Rapid rounds, perfect for those who want to watch a particular player or a key moment in the standings. Half Day Passes cover defined blocks of Blitz rounds and are ideal for following the rapid-fire shifts on the leaderboard as the pace accelerates. Day Passes offer full access to each day’s programme, so fans can enjoy every round, every upset, and every finale. Multi-Day Passes provide the best value for those who want the complete championship experience from start to finish. TICKET PRICING Rapid tickets Individual rounds 25 QAR for rounds 1 to 12 40 QAR for round 13 Day passes 50 QAR for 26 December 50 QAR for 27 December 70 QAR for 28 December All-days Rapid pass 100 QAR Blitz tickets Half-day passes 35 QAR for rounds 1 to 6 35 QAR for rounds 7 to 13 35 QAR for rounds 14 to 19 65 QAR for the finals and closing ceremony Day passes 50 QAR for 29 December 80 QAR for 30 December All-days Blitz pass 100 QAR Full Event Pass 160 QAR This pass covers all Rapid and Blitz days. VIP ticket options will be announced soon and will include premium seating and additional benefits for fans who want an enhanced experience at the venue. Details will be shared on the official event website as soon as they are finalised. Fans are encouraged to secure their passes at special early-bird prices, and be part of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 in Doha. Tickets are available now through the official ticketing platform. Link to the ticketing platform: snoonu.com/scity/events/competitions/fide-world-rapid-and-blitz-championships-qatar-2025 About the event The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 is taking place in Doha, Qatar from December 26 to 30, bringing together the world’s elite chess talent for a thrilling end-of-year showdown. Held at the Sports and Events Complex of the Qatar University, this edition features both Open and Women’s events in Rapid and Blitz formats, with a total prize fund of over €1,000,000. Doha returns as host after nine years, underscoring Qatar’s growing stature in the chess world. The full list of registered players can be found here: Rapid Open: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/participants-rapid-open/ Rapid Women: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/participants-rapid-women/ Blitz Open: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/participants-blitz-open/ Blitz Women: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/participants-blitz-women/ Official website of the Championships: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com