OSLO: World champion D Gukesh and fellow Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa endured a difficult second day at the Norway Chess tournament, while France’s Alireza Firouzja climbed to the top of the standings with consecutive victories.
Gukesh missed the chance to capitalise on a strong position against American Grandmaster Wesley So in a gruelling 116-move classical encounter before eventually losing in the Armageddon tiebreak.
Despite the setback, the Indian star remains tied for second place alongside So with 2.5 points.
Meanwhile, Firouzja continued his impressive form to emerge as the sole leader of the tournament after securing his second straight win.
DOHA: President of the Qatar Chess Association Mohammed Al-Mudahka expressed his great pleasure at the closing ceremony of the 19th School Olympic Program, which aims to achieve several objectives, most importantly spreading the culture of chess in schools.
He praised the significant efforts of Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee.
Al-Mudahka explained that this program helps the Qatar Chess Federation achieve its vision, develop chess, and build a strong base for the game.
He emphasized the Federation’s commitment to using chess as an educational tool for school children to enhance their thinking skills, athletic abilities, and self-confidence through a scientifically designed educational project.
PRAGUE: World champion D Gukesh’s struggles continued for a fifth straight day as the Indian squandered a winning position to lose to longtime rival Nodirbek Abdusattorov at the Prague International Chess Festival.
Just a month after a costly blunder against Abdusattorov at the Tata Steel Masters, Gukesh endured an even more painful defeat in the fifth round in Prague. Playing black, he unveiled a fresh strategy, unsettling White’s king early and building sustained pressure through the middlegame. Engines indicated he was closing in on his first victory in the Masters section.
But time trouble proved decisive. Gukesh faltered near the end of the first time control and, although Abdusattorov briefly returned the favour, another mistake by the Indian allowed the Uzbek to push his passed pawn to promotion and seal victory.
Dutch grandmaster Jorden van Foreest continued his strong run, defeating American Hans Moke Niemann to register his fourth win in five games and climb to 11th in the live world rankings.
All games in the 10-player round-robin ended decisively. Defending champion Aravindh Chithambaram suffered his third defeat, losing to Spain’s David Anton Guijarro. Czech David Navara beat Nodirbek Yakubboev, while Iran’s Parham Maghsoodloo overcame Germany’s Vincent Keymer.
Van Foreest leads on four points, with Abdusattorov and Navara half a point behind.
DOHA: The Katara International Ramadan Open Classical Chess Championship, organised by the Qatar Chess Association, began on Friday and will run until March 1, with 86 players from various age groups taking part.
Saif Saad Al Dosari, Deputy General Manager of the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, made the ceremonial first move on board one in the presence of Hamad Al Tamimi, Executive Director of the Qatar Chess Association.
The nine-round classical tournament is being played under the Swiss system, with a time control of 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. Several participants are ranked on the FIDE list.
The tournament offers a total prize purse of 25,000 riyals ($6,870), with the winner receiving 5,000 riyals. Prizes will also be awarded to the top 10 finishers, while special awards are reserved for the best Qatari players across different age categories and for players from the federation’s training centre.
A number of Qatari national team players across various age groups are competing in the event.
Al Tamimi welcomed the strong turnout and praised the atmosphere at the opening, saying the competition was expected to be intense throughout the tournament.
He added that the event would provide valuable experience for participants, particularly with the presence of several highly ranked players.
The Katara Chess Championship is one of the leading events on the Qatar Chess Association’s annual calendar and is traditionally held during the holy month of Ramadan. Organisers say the tournament has helped highlight emerging talents in previous editions and has supported national teams across all age groups.
DOHA: The Katara International Ramadan Open Classic Chess Championship will begin on Friday, organisers said, with the tournament running until March 1 and featuring 86 players across various age categories.
Organised by the Qatar Chess Federation, the nine-round classical competition will be played under the Swiss system, with a time control of 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. Several players listed in the FIDE rankings are set to take part.
The championship carries a total prize fund of 25,000 Qatari riyals ($6,870), with 5,000 riyals awarded to the winner. Prizes will also be distributed to the top 10 finishers, alongside special awards for the best Qatari players in several age categories and for players from the federation’s training centre.
Qatar Chess Federation President Mohammed Al Mudhahka said the Katara International Ramadan Championship is one of the key events on the federation’s annual calendar, adding that all preparations had been completed.
He said the tournament provides valuable experience for Qatari players due to the participation of highly ranked competitors.
Al Mudhahka also thanked the Cultural Village Foundation Katara for its support in ensuring the continuity of the event, stressing that the federation aims to maintain such partnerships and establish the tournament as a regular fixture to help develop national team players ahead of upcoming competitions.
DOHA: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has assigned President of the Qatar Chess Association (QCA) Mohammed Al Mudahka to oversee the upcoming World Chess Olympiad, scheduled to be held in September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
This comes in recognition of Al Mudahka’s outstanding efforts in supporting and developing chess internationally, as well as the great success of the world chess championship hosted by Qatar last December, which received widespread praise from FIDE and the participants.
The 46th World Chess Olympiad will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 10 to 24.
On this occasion, Al Mudahka expressed his great pleasure at being assigned to oversee one of the most important global chess events as well as his gratitude for the great confidence placed in him by the international chess community.
Al Mudahka, who also serves as the director of international relations at the FIDE, praised the significant efforts undertaken by FIDE, under the leadership of Arkady Dvorkovich, to elevate the game at all levels, develop its competitions, and expand its reach to developing countries.
NEW DELHI: World champion D Gukesh bounced back from successive defeats with a commanding victory over Slovenia’s Vladimir Fedoseev in the eighth round of the Tata Steel Masters on Monday, a result that should provide a timely boost to his confidence.
Playing with the black pieces, the Indian ace was in control for much of the game and produced a picturesque finish by sacrificing his rook before sealing the contest in 41 moves. Gukesh had been in good form until the first rest day but stumbled with back-to-back losses before finally arresting the slide.
Arjun Erigaisi survived a difficult position against compatriot Aravindh Chithambaram to escape with a draw, while R Praggnanandhaa showed resilience in a pawn-down endgame to hold 14-year-old Turkish talent Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus.
Local favourite Anish Giri threw the tournament wide open with an impressive win over overnight leader Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan. Despite the setback, Abdusattorov remained in sole lead on 5.5 points after his closest challenger and compatriot Javokhir Sindarov was held to a draw by Germany’s Vincent Keymer.
With five rounds remaining, Abdusattorov leads Sindarov by half a point. The round produced just two decisive results from seven games, leaving Erdogmus joint third alongside American Hans Moke Niemann and Dutchman Jorden van Foreest.
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.
