Doha, Qatar – The FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2025 witnessed a stunning upset on its opening day as India’s Arjun Erigaisi defeated reigning World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. This victory propelled Erigaisi to the top of the leaderboard at the Qatar University Sports and Events Complex, marking a significant moment in the chess tournament. The competition, featuring the world’s elite grandmasters, continues with three more rounds scheduled for the final day.
The ninth round saw Erigaisi, 22, outmaneuver the eight-time World Blitz Champion Carlsen in a closely contested match that concluded with a time victory. Erigaisi now leads with 10 points from 13 rounds, tied with Grandmasters Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Fabiano Caruana. The event is drawing significant attention from the global chess community and fans following the rapid-paced games.
Erigaisi’s Rise and Carlsen’s Setback in the Blitz Championship
Erigaisi described his win against Carlsen as his favorite of the day, noting his strong performance in the middlegame. He acknowledged a minor oversight with a pawn but remained pleased with the overall strategic play. This victory comes on the heels of a strong showing at the World Rapid Championship, where he finished third, demonstrating a consistent upward trajectory in his competitive chess career.
Carlsen, known for his composure, visibly expressed his frustration after the defeat, slamming his hand on the table. Erigaisi, however, stated he was unaware of the reaction, focusing solely on the game’s conclusion. The loss represents a significant hurdle in Carlsen’s pursuit of a ninth World Blitz title.
Other Notable Results from Day One
Meanwhile, another surprising result unfolded as 12-year-old FIDE Master Sergey Sklokin defeated India’s current World Champion, Dommaraju Gukesh. Sklokin, competing under the FIDE flag, capitalized on time pressure and a strategic advantage to secure the win against a player rated significantly higher. This upset follows Sklokin’s impressive performance at the World Rapid Championship, where he gained the highest rating increase in the Open category.
Among the Qatari players, Hussein Aziz, Ibrahim Al Janahi, and Khaled Al Jumaat each finished the day with four points. Ahmed Saif accumulated three points, while Hamad Al Kuwari and Fahad Al Mansouri both secured two points. Their participation highlights Qatar’s growing involvement in international chess competitions.
Women’s Championship Heats Up
In the women’s competition, 19-year-old Dutch player Ellen Ropers currently holds the lead after 10 rounds with 8.5 points. She is closely followed by Russia’s Alexandra Goryachkina, the tournament’s third seed, with 8 points, tied with Umida Omonova of Uzbekistan and Antonita Stefanova of Belarus. The women’s event is proving to be highly competitive, with several players vying for the top spot.
Representing Qatar, former women’s world champion Zhu Chen finished with 4.5 points, achieving wins against players from Bulgaria, Mexico, Georgia, and Spain, and securing a draw against a Chinese competitor. Her performance adds a local dimension to the international chess event.
The final day of the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2025 promises to be decisive as players battle for the title. With Erigaisi, Vachier-Lagrave, and Caruana tied for the lead in the open section, and Ropers narrowly ahead in the women’s, the outcome remains uncertain. Observers will be watching closely to see if Erigaisi can maintain his momentum and if Carlsen can recover from his unexpected loss.
The championship is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, with the winners of both the open and women’s sections to be crowned.
