Doha, Qatar is set to host the world’s elite chess players for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2025, beginning tomorrow, December 26th, and running through December 30th at the Sports and Events Complex of Qatar University. The event will showcase intense competition in both rapid chess formats, attracting top grandmasters and a substantial prize pool. This marks the second time Doha has been selected to host the championships, solidifying its position as a key location for international chess.
Among the competitors are reigning world champions and top-ranked players, including India’s Gukesh Dommaraju, Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, and China’s Ju Wenjun. Carlsen, currently ranked number one globally, is the top seed in both the Open Rapid and Open Blitz tournaments. The championships are expected to draw significant attention from the global chess community and fans.
Elite Players Compete in the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships
The Open tournament boasts a formidable lineup, featuring not only Dommaraju and Carlsen, but also players like Volodar Murzin, the current rapid chess world champion, and Ian Nepomniachtchi, co-champion in blitz. Other notable participants include Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, and Levon Aronian, ensuring a high level of play throughout the competition.
Additionally, a new generation of chess talent is emerging, with rising stars such as Vincent Keymer, Arjun Erigaisi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, R Praggnanandhaa, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, and Ediz Gurel all vying for a place among the world’s best. These players represent a shift in the chess landscape, bringing fresh strategies and competitive energy to the forefront.
Women’s Championship Highlights
The Women’s championship will feature 130 players, led by Ju Wenjun, the world number one and current women’s blitz champion. She will be challenged by a strong field including Tan Zhongyi, Alexandra Goryachkina, Bibisara Assaubayeva, and Anna Muzychuk. Koneru Hampy, the reigning women’s rapid champion, will also be a key contender.
The return of the World Rapid and Blitz Championships to Doha underscores Qatar’s commitment to promoting chess internationally. According to tournament organizers, the event aims to foster the growth of the game within the region and provide a platform for showcasing exceptional talent. This commitment extends to providing world-class facilities and a welcoming environment for players and spectators alike.
The total prize fund for the championships exceeds €1 million, with €700,000 allocated for the Open events and €300,000 for the Women’s events. The Open Rapid and Open Blitz champions will each receive a top prize of €70,000, while the women’s winners will be awarded €40,000. This substantial financial incentive is expected to further motivate the players and elevate the level of competition.
The Rapid championship will consist of 13 rounds for the Open section and 11 rounds for the Women’s event, utilizing a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move. The Blitz competition will follow a Swiss system with 19 rounds in the Open and 15 rounds in the Women’s sections, culminating in four-game knockout semi-finals for the top four players in each category. This format ensures a dynamic and fast-paced tournament experience.
Doha previously hosted the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in 2016, with Vasyl Ivanchuk winning the Rapid title and Sergey Karjakin claiming the Blitz crown. The 2025 championships build upon that legacy, promising another exciting chapter in the history of competitive chess. The event also provides a boost to sports tourism in Qatar.
Following the conclusion of the championships on December 30th, the final standings will be published by FIDE. Observers will be watching to see if Carlsen can add to his already impressive record in blitz and rapid formats, and whether Dommaraju can maintain his championship form. The performance of the rising stars will also be a key area of interest, potentially signaling a changing of the guard in the world of competitive chess.
