Chess

DOHA: Magnus Carlsen won the 2025 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship after defeating Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov 2.5–1.5 in the final match, adding another title to his record-breaking career.

The Norwegian earned €70,000 for the victory, claiming his ninth world blitz crown and his 20th world championship title across classical, rapid and blitz formats. It marked the fifth time Carlsen has held the “double crown” as both world rapid and blitz champion.

The title did not come easily. Carlsen was forced to win on demand in the final rounds of the Swiss stage and again during the knockout phase before sealing the championship in the final game of the match.

In the women’s event, Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva captured her third world blitz title at the age of 21, defeating two-time champion Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine 2.5–1.5 in the final. Assaubayeva earned €40,000 and secured a place in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.

Assaubayeva also faced a tense path to victory, nearly losing her final two games of the Swiss stage before saving a lost position in the last round. Like Carlsen, she clinched the championship in the final game of the match.

Former world champion Viswanathan Anand, now a deputy president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), and Qatar Chess Association president Mohammad Al Mudahkha presented the trophies to the winners.

Doha: India’s Arjun Erigaisi after a decisive victory over former leader Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan at the end of Round 10 in FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships, reaching 8.5 points, while Abdusattorov dropped to 7.5 points on Monday.

The World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship Qatar 2025, hosted by Qatar University at the Sports and Events Complex, will conclude tomorrow, Tuesday. The Blitz World Champions will be crowned through the final rounds, the men’s and women’s semifinals, and the championship matches.

The men’s Blitz competition features 254 players, while the women’s event includes 142 players, comprising reigning world champions, elite rapid and blitz specialists, and top contenders representing federations from around the world.

In the women’s competition, 19-year-old Dutch player Eline Roebers leads the standings after Round 10 with 8.5 points.

She is followed by Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina, the tournament’s third seed, on 8 points, level with Uzbekistan’s Umida Omonova and Belarusian Antonina Stefanova.

Five-time world champion and world No.1 Ju Wenjun of China is in 44th place with 5.5 points, while China’s Tan Zhongyi, the world No.2 and former women’s world champion, is 36th with 6 points.

Among the Qatari women, former world champion Ju Wenjun finished 93rd with 4.5 points after recording four wins—against Bulgaria’s Beloslava Krasteva, Mexico’s Tania Rodriguez, Georgia’s Kessaria Migaladze, and Spain’s Redondo Rodriguez—and one draw with China’s Li Yuxi. Qatar national team player Ghada Al-Khalifi collected one point.

Doha: Norwegian superstar Magnus Carlsen was crowned champion of the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship – Qatar 2025 after finishing with 10 points at the end of the 13th and final round.

The world No.1 secured the title with a crucial draw against Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, ranked third in the tournament, in the decisive final-round encounter.

Carlsen benefited from the stumble of former leader Vladislav Artemiev, who drew his final game against American Wesley So.

Carlsen’s triumph marked a strong comeback after losing to Artemiev a day earlier.

Despite earlier setbacks—including draws against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and others—the Norwegian star surged to the top on the final day to claim the title in emphatic fashion.

Final Standings – Open Rapid

1st: Magnus Carlsen (Norway) – 10 points
2nd: Vladislav Artemiev (Russia) – 9 points
3rd: Hans Niemann (USA) – 9 points (on tiebreaks)
4th: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) – 8.5 points
5th: Arjun Erigaisi (India) – 8.5 points

Defending world classical champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India finished 31st with 7.5 points.

The men’s rapid championship featured 251 players while 254 players are competing in the blitz event.

The rapid format consisted of 13 rounds in the Open section and 11 rounds in the Women’s section.

Goryachkina triumphs

In the women’s competition, Russian Grandmaster Alexandra Goryachkina, seeded third, claimed the World Rapid Women’s title with 9.5 points, prevailing in a tiebreak playoff against China’s Zhu Jiner.

Former world champion Koneru Humpy of India finished third with 8.5 points.

Five-time world champion Ju Wenjun of China ended the tournament on 37th place with 6.5 points while former world champion Tan Zhongyi placed seventh with 7.5 points.

Blitz Championship up next

Attention now turns to the World Blitz Chess Championship, which begins on Monday, as the world’s top players look to add another prestigious title in Doha.

Mohammad Amin

Doha: World number one Magnus Carlsen suffered a rare setback on the second day of the Qatar 2025 Rapid & Blitz Chess World Cup, losing to Russia’s Vladislav Artemiev in the men’s rapid event at Qatar University Hall.

Artemiev capitalises

Carlsen, the Norwegian top seed, went down to Artemiev in the seventh round after earlier drawing with France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The defeat proved pivotal, allowing Artemiev to surge to the top of the standings on seven points.
Artemiev had earlier beaten India’s Arjun Erigaisi in round six and followed up with a draw against Vachier-Lagrave in round eight.

Carlsen recovers, Gukesh stays in contention

Despite the setback, Carlsen responded strongly with a round-eight victory over Armenia’s Shant Sargsyan, lifting his total to six points.
India’s reigning rapid world champion Gukesh Dommaraju remained firmly in the title race, climbing to 6.5 points after defeating Spain’s David Anton in round eight.

Mixed fortunes for other players

Host nation player Hussein Aziz found himself on 2.5 points after eight rounds. The men’s rapid event has drawn a massive field of 251 players, underlining the tournament’s depth and competitiveness.

Humpy leads women’s rapid event

In the women’s rapid championship, India’s former world champion Koneru Humpy emerged as the outright leader after eight rounds. She recorded impressive wins over Spain’s Sarasadat Khadima, Russia’s Yana Zhabova, and Armenia’s Bat Mongonzul.
Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina followed closely in second place with 5.5 points.

Ju Wenjun slips, Ju Shen shines

China’s reigning world champion Ju Wenjun slipped to 30th place after a mixed run of results. In contrast, former world champion Ju Shen enjoyed a strong day, scoring 3.5 points with victories over Norway’s Monika Machlikova and Russia’s Veronika Shapenkova, along with a draw against Spain’s Rebeca Fernandez.

Strong Participation and Praise for Organisation

The championship features 251 players in the men’s rapid event, 254 in the men’s blitz, and 142 competitors in the women’s section. The open rapid tournament spans 13 rounds, while the women’s event has 11 rounds, with tie-breaks if necessary.
Qatar Chess Federation president Mohammed Al-Mudahka expressed pride in hosting the tournament, highlighting its organisational standards and global participation. Several leading players, including Artemiev and Gukesh, praised both the competitive level and playing conditions as the event heads toward its decisive stages.

Mohammad Amin

DOHA: The World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship – Qatar 2025 officially began today at Qatar University’s Sports and Events Complex, with competitions running through 30 December.

The prestigious event brings together the world’s elite chess players to contest four world titles in Rapid and Blitz formats across the Open and Women’s categories.

Elite Global Participation

• Open Rapid: 251 players
• Open Blitz: 254 players
• Women’s competitions: 142 players

The championship features reigning world champions, leading contenders, and top specialists representing chess federations from around the globe.

Colorful Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony blended tradition and art, featuring the Qatari Ardah dance and a theatrical performance symbolizing the struggle between black and white pieces on the chessboard. Senior officials from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) attended the ceremony.

Proceedings began with the national anthems of the State of Qatar and FIDE, followed by the official declaration of the championship by Mohammed Al-Mudhakha, President of the Qatar Chess Federation, alongside FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, marked by a symbolic first chess move.

Ahmed Mohammed Al-Harmi, Assistant Undersecretary for Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, played the ceremonial first move on board one of the Open Rapid Championship, featuring Magnus Carlsen (Norway) against Lorenzo Lodici (Italy).

Strong Start for Magnus Carlsen

World champion Magnus Carlsen opened the tournament in commanding fashion with three consecutive victories:

• Round 1: defeated Lorenzo Lodici (Italy)
• Round 2: defeated David Paravyan (Russia)
• Round 3: defeated Eduardo Iturrizaga (Spain)

Carlsen is aiming to defend his title after winning gold at the World Blitz Chess Championship in the previous edition held in New York.

Notable Early Results

• Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia), the 2024 World Blitz Champion, defeated Iran’s Parham Daneshvar and Georgia’s Giga Kobaradze before drawing with Greece’s Theodoros Nikolaidis.
• The field also includes Gukesh Dommaraju, Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, Vincent Keymer, Arjun Erigaisi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Praggnanandhaa R, Alexander Grischuk, and Vasyl Ivanchuk, the 2016 World Rapid Champion in Doha.

Qatari Players’ Performances

• IM Hussein Aziz lost his first two rounds before securing a third-round victory over Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Al-Khanji.
• Khaled Al-Jamaat was defeated by Turkey’s Koral Eydiz and Iran’s Parham Daneshvar.
• Hamad Al-Kuwari lost his opening matches to Greece’s Alexis Dimitris and Serbia’s Armin Musovic.

Women’s Competition Highlights

• Hou Yifan (China), five-time world champion, drew with Umida Omonova (Uzbekistan) and Govhar Beydullayeva (Azerbaijan), and defeated Russia’s Alina Bivol.
• Tan Zhongyi (China), world No. 2 and former Women’s World Champion, lost in round three to India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu after two earlier victories.
• Qatari national team player Jou Shen rebounded from two losses to earn a win against Monaco’s Maria Zvereva.

Officials Praise Qatar’s Hosting

Ahmed Mohammed Al-Harmi highlighted Qatar’s growing reputation as a global hub for major international sporting events, crediting its advanced organizational capabilities and experience.

Qatar Chess Federation President Mohammed Al-Mudhakha expressed pride in hosting the championship, praising the support of the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the event’s sponsors. He emphasized the importance of the tournament in providing valuable experience for young Qatari players competing alongside the world’s elite.

FIDE Commendation

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich confirmed the participation of around 400 players from 70 countries, noting the strong presence of young talents. He praised Qatar’s proven organizational excellence and described the World Rapid and Blitz Championship as a traditional and exciting conclusion to the chess calendar year.

Prize Fund

The total prize fund exceeds €1 million:

• €700,000 for the Open competitions (rapid and blitz equally divided)
• €300,000 for the Women’s competitions (equally divided)

The championship promises high-level competition, thrilling encounters, and a memorable conclusion to the global chess season in Doha.

DOHA: Dvorkovich said the rapid and blitz world championships were among the most exciting events on the international chess calendar.

“Qatar has a successful history of organising major chess tournaments, including the Qatar Masters, and has proven global expertise in hosting world-class sporting events,” he said.

He noted that the total prize fund exceeds one million euros, describing the tournament as “a true chess festival” with intense competition expected in both the open and women’s events.

Champions ready for battle

Carlsen said he was fully prepared to defend his title and expressed his happiness at returning to Doha, where he has previously competed in the Qatar Masters and the 2016 world championships.

“The gap between the top players and the rest is getting smaller, which makes the challenge tougher for everyone,” Carlsen said, adding that technology had become an important part of modern chess, provided it was used positively and with strong mental discipline.

Gukesh Dommaraju said he was excited to compete in Doha, expecting fierce competition and highlighting the importance of mental and physical readiness alongside technological preparation.

Ju Wenjun said she was motivated to defend her title but acknowledged the strength of the field. “This tournament is a major platform for players from around the world to showcase their abilities,” she said.

Prize fund and historical note

The total prize fund exceeds one million euros, with 700,000 euros allocated to the open competition and 300,000 euros to the women’s event, split equally between the rapid and blitz championships.

The World Rapid Chess Championship was first held in Doha in 2016, when Ukraine’s Vasyl Ivanchuk won the open title and Anna Muzychuk claimed the women’s crown.

Qatari representation and rising talents

Qatar will be represented by International Master Hussein Aziz, along with Khaled Al Jammat, Hamad Al Kuwari and Ibrahim Al Janahi.

The event also features several rising stars, including 15-year-old Russian Grandmaster Ivan Zemlyanskii, rated above 2590, and Turkish prodigy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, 14, the fourth-youngest grandmaster in history and the youngest player to reach a 2600 rating.

Uzbekistan’s 16-year-old International Master Muhammad Zohid Suyarov, the reigning world junior rapid champion, will also make his debut after qualifying through the Asian championships.

Organisers highlight record participation

Al Mudahka stressed the strong ties between the Qatar Chess Federation and FIDE, expressing pride in hosting a record-breaking edition of the championships.

“This tournament is extremely important for the Qatari national team, allowing our players to improve their ratings and gain experience against different chess schools from around the world,” he said, thanking Qatar’s Ministry of Sports and Youth for its continued support.

DOHA: In the women’s competition, five-time world champion Ju Wenjun leads a field of 130 players. The Chinese star, rated 2530 in rapid chess, won the women’s world blitz title in New York in 2024.

Former world champions Tan Zhongyi and Anna Muzychuk are among the leading contenders, alongside Alexandra Goryachkina of Russia and Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva, the two-time world blitz champion in 2021 and 2022.

Also competing are Maria Muzychuk and Russian blitz specialist Kateryna Lagno, a multiple-time world champion in both rapid and blitz formats.

Former world champion and Qatar national team player Ju Chen is also set to compete, continuing her appearances at the global championships.

Doha: The World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships Qatar 2025 will get underway on Friday at Qatar University’s Sports and Events Complex, with the tournament running until Dec. 30 and drawing a record field of more than 400 players and 130 women competitors.

Stars gather in Doha

The championships were officially launched at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Rosewood Hotel in Lusail, attended by Mohammed Al Mudahka, President of the Qatar Chess Federation and Vice President of the Arab Chess Federation, alongside FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

Also present were reigning classical world champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India and China’s Ju Wenjun, the defending women’s champion and world number one.

Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen headlines the open field and will be aiming to defend his blitz title after winning gold at the previous edition in New York. The five-time world champion is joined by an elite lineup that includes Ian Nepomniachtchi, the 2024 world blitz champion, Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, Vincent Keymer, Arjun Erigaisi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Praggnanandhaa R, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Ediz Gurel.

Veteran players Alexander Grischuk and Ukraine’s Vasyl Ivanchuk, who won the world rapid title in Doha in 2016, are also among the contenders.

DOHA: Qatar Chess Association president Mohammad Al Mudahka stressed the strong ties between the Qatar Chess Federation and FIDE, expressing pride in hosting a record-breaking edition of the championships.

“This tournament is extremely important for the Qatari national team, allowing our players to improve their ratings and gain experience against different chess schools from around the world,” he said, thanking Qatar’s Ministry of Sports and Youth for its continued support.

FIDE praises Qatar’s hosting credentials

Meanwhile, FIDE president Dvorkovich said the rapid and blitz world championships were among the most exciting events on the international chess calendar.

“Qatar has a successful history of organising major chess tournaments, including the Qatar Masters, and has proven global expertise in hosting world-class sporting events,” he said.

He noted that the total prize fund exceeds one million euros, describing the tournament as “a true chess festival” with intense competition expected in both the open and women’s events.

Qatari representation and rising talents

Qatar will be represented by International Master Hussein Aziz, along with Khaled Al Jammat, Hamad Al Kuwari and Ibrahim Al Janahi.

The event also features several rising stars, including 15-year-old Russian Grandmaster Ivan Zemlyanskii, rated above 2590, and Turkish prodigy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, 14, the fourth-youngest grandmaster in history and the youngest player to reach a 2600 rating.

Uzbekistan’s 16-year-old International Master Muhammad Zohid Suyarov, the reigning world junior rapid champion, will also make his debut after qualifying through the Asian championships.

DOHA: A series of sponsorship agreements for the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 were signed during a press conference on Saturday at Rosewood Hotel.

Mohammed Ahmed Al-Mudahka, President of Qatar Chess Association (QCA) and chairman of the organizing committee of the tournament, signed the sponsorship deals before the Dec 26-30 championships.

Representatives of Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM), Ooredoo, Mowasalat (Karwa), Total, Al Abdulghani Motors, AlkaLive and Qatar University were present to sign the sponsorship contracts.

Ahmed Al Banai, Senior Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sponsorship – Ooredoo, Yousef Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director of Shared Services at Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM), Nasser Mamdouh Al Shammari, Director of Light Transport – Mowasalat Co. (Karwa), Mansur Zhakupov, General Manager – Total Energy, Osama Mariam, CEO AlkaLive, Sami Al Mubarak, Head of Corporate Partnerships – Al Abdulghani Motors and Hamoud Al Hajri, Director of Sports Facilities at Qatar University represented their esteemed organizations at the press conference.

Mr. Abdulghani Nasser Al Abdulghani, Chief Executive Officer of Al Abdulghani Motors, said: “We are proud to support the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship Qatar 2025, an event that reflects excellence, discipline, and strategic thinking at the highest level. Our sponsorship underscores our commitment to supporting national initiatives that promote intellectual sports, empower talent, and reinforce Qatar’s position as a global destination for world-class events. Through our long-standing partnership with the Qatar Chess Association, we remain dedicated to contributing to a vibrant, thoughtful, and future-ready community.”

With over €1M in prizes on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the year’s final showdown. After nearly a decade, the championship returns to Qatar, and hence fans should not miss the speed, strategy, and intensity.

Key Details at a Glance
Dates: December 25–30, 2025
Venue: Sports and Events Complex, Qatar University
Prize Fund: €1,000,000+
Formats: Rapid & Blitz (Open and Women’s)