World’s Best Chess Stars Land in Doha for Rapid and Blitz Showdown

Doha is officially in chess mode. The world’s top players have arrived in the Qatari capital for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2025, running from now until December 30 at Qatar University’s Sports and Events Complex.

Carlsen Leads a Stacked Lineup

World number one Magnus Carlsen comes in as the top seed in both the Open Rapid and Open Blitz events. With five World Rapid titles and eight World Blitz crowns under his belt, the Norwegian legend is once again the man to beat.

Joining him are current world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, reigning rapid world champion Volodar Murzin, world number two Ian Nepomniachtchi, and fan favorites like Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, and Alexander Grischuk.

Young Stars Ready to Shake Things Up

This year’s championship isn’t just about big names. Rising talents such as Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Vincent Keymer, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, and Ediz Gurel are all in the mix, adding extra excitement to the Open events.

Women’s Championship Brings Elite Competition

The Women’s championship features 130 players, led by world number one and reigning women’s blitz champion Ju Wenjun. She’ll face strong competition from Tan Zhongyi, Alexandra Goryachkina, Koneru Hampy, Kateryna Lagno, Bibisara Assaubayeva, and sisters Anna and Maria Muzychuk.

Big Stakes, Bigger Prizes

Doha is making history as the only city to host the World Rapid and Blitz Championships twice, having last welcomed the event in 2016.

This year’s total prize pool exceeds €1 million, with €700,000 allocated to the Open events and €300,000 for the Women’s competitions. Open Rapid and Blitz champions will each take home €70,000, while women’s winners will receive €40,000 each.

How the Tournament Will Play Out

The Rapid format will see 13 rounds in the Open section and 11 rounds in the Women’s event, with each player getting 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move.

The Blitz competition starts with a Swiss phase — 19 rounds for the Open and 15 rounds for the Women’s field — before the top four players advance to knockout semi-finals.

With legends, rising stars, and serious prize money on the line, Doha is set for a thrilling finish to the chess calendar.