Magnus Carlsen headlines the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 where top Indians like D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi will be in action. Below we take a look at all you need to know ahead of the tournament.
World’s best chess talent has arrived in Qatar for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 where the top players will all want to finish their season on a high. Magnus Carlsen will be back on the board for quicker chess and is the top seed in both blitz and rapid formats in the open section.
Indian stars too are gearing up for this tournament with hopes of winning the trophy.
D Gukesh, the reigning world champion, will be aiming to bring back his form while the other Indians like Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanadhaa too will be aiming for strong showing. India has a record 29 players in rapid and blitz (Open) and another 13 players in the Women’s section. Koneru Humpy currently has the rapid world title and she will get tough challenge from her Indian compatriot Divya Deshmukh.
America’s Fabiano Caruana and Wesley So, Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, Uzbek star Nodirbek Abdusattorov will also be in action as the stage is set for the season to end with a tournament that will see some strong competition.
Below we take a look at all you need to know ahead of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025.
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FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 schedule
The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships starts December 26. The rapid rounds end on December 28. The blitz tournament will take place on December 29 and 30.
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 venue
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2025 take place at the Qatar University’s Sports and Events Complex in Doha, Qatar.
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 format
The Rapid section of the tournament will take place in a 13-round swiss format in the open category. The women’s category will see 11-round swiss format.
The Blitz section will have 19 swiss rounds for open and 15 swiss rounds for women categories. The top four will then qualify for the semifinals whose winners will clash for the title.
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 prize money
Open Rapid Championship: €350,000
Open Blitz Championship: €350,000
Women’s Rapid Championship: €150,000
Women’s Blitz Championship: €150,000
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 live streaming
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2025 will be streamed live on FIDE’s official YouTube channel. Coverage begins 4:30 PM IST on Friday, December 26.
The tournament will not be available to watch on TV in India.
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