TV LAVIN: World’s Best Chess Stars Land in Doha for a Rapid and Blitz Showdown

Thursday, December 25, 2025

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

Doha is officially in full chess mode. The world’s elite have gathered in the Qatari capital for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2025, running through December 30 at the Qatar University Sports and Events Complex.

As the chess calendar races toward its finale, Doha has become the global epicenter for speed chess—where instinct, precision, and nerves of steel decide champions in seconds.

Carlsen Leads a Stacked Lineup

At the center of attention stands Magnus Carlsen, the world number one and top seed in both the Open Rapid and Open Blitz events.

With five World Rapid titles and eight World Blitz crowns, the Norwegian legend once again arrives as the man everyone wants to dethrone. In speed chess, Carlsen’s ability to thrive under pressure makes him uniquely dangerous.

Sharing the spotlight are:

Gukesh Dommaraju, the reigning world champion
Volodar Murzin, current World Rapid champion
Ian Nepomniachtchi, world number two

Fan favorites like Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, and Alexander Grischuk round out a field that reads like a hall of fame.

Young Stars Ready to Shake Things Up

This year’s championship isn’t just about established legends. A new generation is arriving with speed, fearlessness, and nothing to lose.

Rising stars include:

Arjun Erigaisi
R Praggnanandhaa
Nodirbek Abdusattorov
Vincent Keymer
Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus
Ediz Gurel

In rapid and blitz formats, youth can be a weapon—and every round brings the possibility of a major upset.

Women’s Championship Delivers Elite Competition

The Women’s Championship features 130 players, led by world number one and reigning women’s blitz champion Ju Wenjun.

Challenging her are some of the strongest names in women’s chess:

Tan Zhongyi
Alexandra Goryachkina
Koneru Humpy
Kateryna Lagno
Bibisara Assaubayeva
Anna Muzychuk and Maria Muzychuk

With depth, experience, and explosive talent, the women’s event promises drama until the final move.

Big Stakes, Bigger Prizes

Doha is making history as the only city to host the World Rapid and Blitz Championships twice, having previously done so in 2016.

The financial stakes are equally historic:

Over €1 million total prize fund
€700,000 for Open events
€300,000 for Women’s competitions

Champions will earn:

€70,000 each for Open Rapid and Open Blitz
€40,000 each for Women’s Rapid and Blitz

In speed chess, every second can now be worth thousands.

How the Tournament Will Play Out

Rapid Format

Open: 13 rounds
Women: 11 rounds
Time control: 15 minutes + 10 seconds per move

Blitz Format

Swiss phase: 19 rounds (Open), 15 rounds (Women)
Top four advance to knockout semi-finals
Pure adrenaline from start to finish

Final Thought

With legends defending their legacy, young stars hunting glory, and life-changing prize money on the line, Doha is delivering a fitting climax to the chess year.

Speed chess strips the game to its essence—intuition, courage, and control under chaos. And in Doha, the world’s best are proving that even at lightning pace, chess remains a battle of minds.

♟️ Posted originally on Qatar Moments

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